New Zealand experiences critical gaps in psychosis intervention services

A recent survey has highlighted significant problems in early intervention services for psychosis in New Zealand. Many patients are not receiving care until after they have been hospitalized. Researchers attribute these delays to a lack of resources. Dr. Rebecca Grattan, a lead author of the study, stated that early intervention aims to help individuals before their condition becomes severe. However, the survey revealed that many services are not meeting these early intervention goals. The study assessed all 12 early intervention psychosis services in New Zealand against international care standards. It found that only one service managed to see at least 80% of patients before they needed hospital treatment. This standard is widely accepted for effective early care. Additionally, the survey noted that many services set age limits for treatment. These limits vary from ages 13 to 30. While younger individuals are often at greater risk for psychosis, older adults also experience symptoms and may be excluded from care. The research also pointed out that some regions, especially rural areas, lack dedicated early intervention services. This issue is more pronounced in areas with a high Māori population, leaving some of the most vulnerable without support. When patients can access early intervention services, the quality of care is comparable to that in Canada and California. Dr. Grattan remarked that New Zealand's services meet many best practice standards, such as thorough initial assessments and care duration of up to two years. The main challenge remains ensuring that resources are available to provide timely care to those in need.