The Waltham Forest early intervention in psychosis (EIP) service offers an integrated person centred service to people aged 14 to 65 who are resident in Waltham Forest and who are experiencing a first episode of psychosis, or are suspected of experiencing a first episode of psychosis. The teams are multi-disciplinary and are made up of nurses, doctors, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and support workers.

The service provides comprehensive assessment and advice and a range of culturally appropriate therapeutic interventions to service users. Interventions can be offered to service users individually and/or within groups.

Interventions offered include:

• psycho-education
• health promotion
• cognitive behavioural therapy
• family intervention
• psychological interventions
• relapse prevention
• medication management
• support and advice to access or return to education, vocational interests and employment
• support to access social activities and advice in accessing benefit and housing services
• informal counselling

Service users, family members and carers are placed at the centre of the care planning process. Service users are supported with their current issue with the aim of maintaining wellness, promoting recovery and a return to normal activities in their community life.  Services are provided within a variety of locations and venues, including within the service user’s home and wider community settings.

Early intervention in psychosis is based on research that suggests early detection even on suspicion of psychosis, intervention, prevention and limiting the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) can reduce the degree of harm to a person’s mental health and optimise recovery. Symptoms of psychosis may include hallucinations, odd beliefs and ideas of reference, problems with thinking, suspiciousness and paranoia, as well as disturbances in sleep, appetite and mood.

Contact our service in Waltham Forest:

Jane Atkinson Health and Wellbeing Centre (Thorpe Coombe Hospital site)
714 Forest Road
Walthamstow
E17 3HP

Tel: 0300 555 1238
Fax: 0844 493 0252
Opening times: 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday

Referrals

Referrals will be accepted from GPs and primary care, from the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS), liaison teams and IPAD. Self-referrals and referrals from carers will also be accepted through the access and assessment brief intervention team.