Oxford launches pioneering one-stop assessment clinic for first-episode psychosis

A new NHS clinic has opened in Oxford to provide earlier and more comprehensive assessments for people experiencing psychosis for the first time.

The Baseline Biomarker Check Clinic, based at the Warneford Hospital site, is believed to be the first service of its kind in the UK. It brings together an MRI brain scan, neurological and physical health checks, memory and thinking assessments and a detailed clinical interview during a single appointment.

Psychosis can involve hallucinations, such as hearing or seeing things that others do not, or firmly held beliefs that are difficult to change. Because it can have different causes and people respond differently to treatment, establishing the most appropriate diagnosis and care plan can take time.

The clinic is intended to give clinicians a fuller picture earlier in someone’s care, potentially supporting more personalised treatment. It is available to people receiving support from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Early Intervention in Psychosis service, who may be referred by their consultant.

Patients can also choose to participate in research exploring why psychosis develops and why responses to treatment vary. Research participation is voluntary and separate from their routine NHS care, with possible activities including extended brain imaging, additional cognitive tasks and blood sampling.

The service has been shaped by pilot work and feedback from people with lived experience. It is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre in Oxford and Wellcome.

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