A service evaluation study of the impact of ageless policy in a London inner-city early intervention in psychosis service

TL;DR

This study examines how an ageless policy in a London psychosis service affects care for younger and older patients.

Contribution

It highlights potential resource misallocation due to policy-driven service provision in early intervention for psychosis.

Findings

Both age groups received similar care despite differing clinical needs.

Younger patients had significantly higher clinical morbidity and needs.

The policy change may be diverting resources from younger patients.

Abstract

Schizophreniform disorders tend to have an early onset. Early intervention in psychosis (EIP) services aim to provide early treatment, reduce long-term morbidity and improve social functioning. In 2016, changes to mental health policy in England mandated that the primarily youth-focused model should be extended to an ageless one, to prevent ageism; however, this was without strong research evidence.

An inner-city London EIP service compared sociodemographic and clinical factors between the under-35 years and over-35 years caseload cohorts utilising the EIP package following the implementation of the ageless policy.

Both groups received similar care, despite the younger group having significantly more clinical morbidity and needs.

Our results may indicate that service provisions are being driven by policy rather than clinical needs, potentially diverting resources from younger patients. These findings have important implications for future provision of EIP services and would benefit from further exploration.

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