EIPP – Early Intervention in Psychosis Pathway 

Canterbury District Health Board

Criteria: Under 18, experiencing a psychotic disorder and/or bipolar disorder

Address: 21 Sylvan Street, Private Bag 4733, Christchurch

Ph: (03) 339 1126

Fax: (03) 339 1127

Referral process via CAF Access Team 0800 218 291 Option 1 or 03 337 7758. After hours contact the Crisis Resolution Team on 0800 920 092

Nau Mai, Mihi Mai

WELCOME TO CHILD, ADOLESCENT & FAMILY SERVICES – Early intervention in Psychosis Pathway

Who are we?

We are part of the Child, Adolescent & Family Service (CAFS) within the Canterbury District Health Board and cover the Canterbury region. We work within an early intervention in psychosis framework and have a close working partnership with Emerge Aotearoa who sit alongside us in providing care for our young people (0-18) and family/whanau . We try to help – as early as possible – a young person who is experiencing psychosis and other related disorders. We see our young people in our clinics, at home and in the community where we have strong community links which helps young people/family/whanau rebuild their lives after being unwell.

What do we do?

Help make sense of what’s going on

Help your family/whanau make sense of what’s going on

Talk and get some ideas of how to make things more manageable

Keeping in touch and problem-solve issues that happen along the way

Help with getting back to living the life you want

Who is in the team?

We have Pukenga Atawhai (Maori Mental Health worker), Community Support Workers, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Social Workers and Psychiatrists.  We also have access to dieticians, speech language therapists, physiotherapists and consumer/family advisors.

Referral Information

Referral process is the usual CAFS process:

  • Referral to CAF Access Team (SPOE, formally known as CAFLink) via GP, school counsellor or other community agency.
  • Crisis presentations may come to CAF Access team via Crisis Resolution or CAFemergency
  • Referrals also come directly from the Child & Adolescent Inpatient Unit – Ngā kakāno

Referral criteria for Child & Adolescent Mental Health outpatient services (CAF North and CAF South Community and Outreach Teams)

  • child/youth between 0-17 years
  • he/she has a suspected or confirmed moderate to severe psychiatric disorder
  • he/she lives within Canterbury DHB region

EIPP team triage or assess any query around psychotic disorder and/or BPAD. Our team is able to be used as consult to support a treating team in CAFS outpatient teams (North/South)

If a psychotic disorder and/or BPAD is indicated then the client comes into the Early Intervention team for assertive outreach and intensive case management.

Referrals via CAF Access Team (formally CAFLink)

  • Freephone: 0800 218 219 Option 1 or 03 337 7758 CAF Access Team
  • Afterhours (urgent) 0800 920 092 Crisis Resolution Team