Harrow and Hillingdon Early Intervention Service is for people aged 14 to 35 experiencing their first episode of psychosis. Once referred, service users can remain with the team for three to five years.
The aims of service include:
- Early detection, assessment and effective treatment of symptoms
- Reduce the duration of psychosis through improved access to services
- Optimistic views about recovery, focused interventions
- Provide a wide range of psycho-social interventions and support
- Provide support, education and intervention for family and carers
- To work in partnership and establish links with a range of statutory and non-statutory services
- Improve vocational and educational outcomes for people experiencing a first episode of psychosis.
The service supports people who meet the following criteria:
- Aged 14 to 35 and live in Harrow or Hillingdon.
- Identified as experiencing a first episode of any psychotic illness with at least seven days of symptoms and a significant reduction in social functioning
- The service can only accept referrals for service users within a year of the onset of symptoms.
There will be a case-by-case discussion around service users who are referred where their primary problem is substance use, severe learning disability, or a primary diagnosis of personality disorder. Consultation and joint working will be considered.
Referrals to the team can be made by:
- Direct referral from the GP including primary care teams
- A&E liaison service
- Home treatment teams
- Mental health assessment and brief treatment teams
- Inpatient mental health wards
- Court diversion and youth offending teams
- Talking Therapies services (formerly IAPT)
Self referrals are also accepted.
The service is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Visits and appointments can be arranged for evenings or weekends on an individual basis.
Bus: 114, E7, H13, U1
Train: Chiltern Railways
Tube: Metropolitan and Piccadily lines