Pathways to care in first episode psychosis.

In order to inform the development of appropriate local services for early intervention in psychosis, a survey was conducted of the experiences of service users and their carers at the time when signs of psychosis were first noted. Eighteen service users and 12 carers were surveyed by questionnaire and interview. Both service users and carers recognized early signs of psychosis, but were often frustrated in their attempts to find help, particularly by lack of knowledge of whom to approach and unhelpful responses from professionals. The consistent themes that emerged included the young age of onset (mean age 17.2 years), poor recognition and lack of appropriate treatment at an early stage in primary care, delay in treatment because of associated substance misuse, and the inappropriateness of admission to a general adult psychiatric ward. This survey has given a local context to findings from national and international research studies. This will enable us to set up a local service which is responsive to the views and needs of service users and carers in Rotherham.