Cambridge Psychosis Centre
Cambridge Psychosis Centre
Our multidisciplinary team of experts provides specialist advice and guidance for the pharmacological management and treatment of schizophrenia. We are a research active service and offer opportunities for people to test cutting-edge novel therapies and treatments, translating the latest discoveries into psychosis care. We can also provide assistance with new medicines and non-formulary prescriptions.
People diagnosed with schizophrenia experience a wide range of symptoms which include delusions and hallucinations but also negative symptoms such as lack of motivation and memory problems, as well as anxiety, depression, movement disorders and physical health problems.
The pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia symptoms can be very complex and not all patients respond well to antipsychotics, which can cause significant side effects.
Our specialist service works at the forefront of psychosis research to support the most complex cases which may be resistant to standard treatments. We work with patients to find new routes to recovery, considering all available evidence-based options.
How our service can help
The Cambridge Psychosis Centre offers expert multidisciplinary assessment and guidance for three main phases of the pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia:
- Managing persistent psychotic symptoms
- Treating non-psychotic symptoms
- Minimising side effects
Our full psychiatric assessment includes:
- Personal and family history that might impact symptoms, including trauma and neurodevelopmental comorbidities as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or Asperger’s.
- Medication history including compliance, criteria for drug-resistance and augmentation strategies.
- Comprehensive assessment of non-psychotic symptoms with specific tools: lack of motivation, emotional blunting, memory and attention problems, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety symptoms.
- Evaluation of side effects: movement disorder, metabolic complications, sedation, constipation and hypersalivation.
Following assessment, the team will review the case and produce a full referenced report with treatment recommendations. We will provide assistance for non-formulary treatment and referrals to the clozapine community initiation committee. For selected cases, with prior agreement we will support use of botulin toxin for hypersalivation.
Referral information
We accept internal and external referrals for clinical assessment and pharmacological recommendations. There are two main routes:
Local/internal referrals for patients in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mental health services
Please email a referral to cambridgepsychosis@cpft.nhs.uk including patient number, medication (current and past) and the main reason for referral.
External referrals for patients in other mental health services
Please email cambridgepsychosis@cpft.nhs.uk.
Prior funding approval will be needed from the relevant Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for a full formal assessment or botulin toxin treatment.
Research projects
Anyone wishing to take part in psychosis or schizophrenia research studies or to collaborate on research projects can contact Emilio at e.fernandez-egea@nhs.net to find out about suitable opportunities. Potential volunteers can also be referred by clinical care teams, internally at CPFT via Emilio.fernandez@cpft.nhs.uk.
Current research projects
The Cambridge Psychosis Centre runs an active research portfolio of ethically approved studies. Potential volunteers can be referred by their care teams but can also contact the research team directly via Emilio.Fernandez@cpft.nhs.uk.
Pharmacological trials
There are a few studies with CPFT progressing through different research approval stages. Please contact Emilio.fernandez@cpft.nhs.uk to find out more.
Non-pharmacological studies
CHANSS
Poor motivation is a key problem for people with schizophrenia. We aim to understand the brain mechanism causing this and other negative symptoms. Read the information sheet for more details.
RESTORE
The RESTORE project aims to understand the role of the neurotransmitter glutamate in persistent psychosis. The testing is conducted at the Institute of Psychiatry in Kings College London, and there are different studies (with and without imaging or medication). If you would like to hear more about this project, please get in touch with Dr Emilio Fernandez-Egea at ef280@cam.ac.uk.
Educational resources
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Read information about clozapine, how to use it and possible side effects from the
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Read the CPFT clozapine monitoring and prescribing guidelines.
- CPFT clozapine editorial: A recent media report labelled clozapine as a dangerous drug, and CPFT researchers have explained the evidence showing it is the antipsychotic treatment associated with lower mortality, in this editorial in the British Journal of Psychiatry online.
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More insights from the Clozapine Clinic are shared in this world first study with CPFT.
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Dr Emilio Fernandez-Egea, Clinical Lead
Emilio is a consultant psychiatrist with 20 years of experience in treating people diagnosed with the most severe and complex forms of psychosis and schizophrenia. He conducts research with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, and is a regional and national mental health research lead.
Emilio is passionate about investigating how to bring the best medication combinations and treatments to ameliorate severe psychotic symptoms and side effects, and helping people achieve the best quality of life while managing complex conditions.
Follow this link to learn more about Emilio's research and publications.
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