About the ABUHB EIPS
The Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, or commonly known EIPS, is focused on the early detection of, and recovery from, psychosis, specifically those who are suffering from their First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) or are within the critical three-year period of diagnosis.
The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) – Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, are an NHS service identified for people aged 14-35, however, the team are open to referrals from all ages up to 40, if they are clearly suffering from their First Episode of Psychosis, or are felt to be ‘at risk’. The service is available for up to three years following referral and an individual being accepted to the team’s caseload for support and interventions.
The ABUHB EIPS is a community-based team who recognise that young people often do not wish to attend clinic appointments. As such, the team are able to facilitate home and community visits as well as office-based visits. The aim is to help young people across the borough of Gwent to achieve their unique goals and aspirations as well as educate a person’s road to recovery.
As part of the ABUHB EIPS, there is a multidisciplinary team approach based on a young person’s individual needs, including:
- Education about psychosis and how to stay well
- Support to access the wider community e.g. work, education, social activities.
- Psychological interventions (‘talking therapies’)
- Medication prescribing and monitoring
- Support for family and carers
ABUHB EIPS Team, who are they?
Specialist Early Intervention Workers
The team consists of specialist nurses who are all qualified RNMH. They can support to help understand psychosis and cope with difficulties that may have been experienced. They are trained in the use of medication and CBTp (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis) and are able to work with the individual and their family to help understand the experiences during the acute phase of psychosis.
Psychiatrists
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. They can diagnose mental illness, prescribe medication and recommend treatment.
Psychologists
A psychologist is someone who specializes in how people’s thoughts and feelings affect their behaviour.
Occupational therapists
An occupational therapist helps young adults with mental, physical or social disabilities to independently carry out everyday occupations with more confidence and independence.
Administrative services
Having psychiatrists and psychologists within the team, it’s essential to have an administrator. The role is at the forefront of any team, being the voice on the end of the phone or opening the door to clinics. The administrator works primarily for the psychiatrists and psychologists, however, can also be available to work for the remainder of the team.
Peer support workers
A peer support worker is an individual in recovery from their own personal journey and experiences. They have already received help, advice and guidance with a positive outcome. The role is used to help individuals and/or their family and friends to understand what is happening from a PSW’s point of view. They can liaise with staff and be general support for the duration.
HAFAL – Recovery Practitioners
UP4IT is a pan Gwent project, with 4 Early Intervention Recovery Practitioners working with young people aged 14-25 who are experiencing a First Episode Psychosis, or who have done in the last 3 years. As the project’s primary role, recovery practitioners work with identified young people, in collaboration with ABUHB’s EIP team to provide a robust early intervention model of recovery focusing on one’s personal, social, emotional and vocational development.
How to contact the team
Information is available on this website to identify if you feel a person would meet the criteria for support however the EIS Team encourage anyone who has concerns about a young person or think that they may be developing psychosis to contact them as soon as possible.
If you would like to refer someone, or yourself there are several different ways to contact the team:
Download their referral form here
Email them on ABB.EISReferrals@wales.nhs.uk
Telephone on: 01633 238800 between the hours of 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. There is an answer phone service available outside of these hours.