What Purpose Are These Guidelines Designed For?
These guidelines are intended to assist GP’s and other primary care professionals with monitoring
and non-complex management of those with ‘stable’ established Schizophrenia. Diagnosis of
someone who may be in the prodromal stage of psychosis is difficult, therefore suspected cases
should be referred on to mental health specialists. Separate guidelines exists for early psychosis. Schizophrenia is a syndrome characterised by a broad range of cognitive, emotional and
behavioural problems. Symptoms are often hidden and may need identifying through interview. Maintaining an accurate disease register is a prerequisite to effective care, particularly in assisting
the process of monitoring and recalling patients

Schizophrenia Epidemiology
• Schizophrenia is the most common serious mental illness, affecting about 1% of people
in Britain at some point in their lives.

• Schizophrenia is twice as common as epilepsy in the UK.

• Studies suggest that around 20% of individuals with schizophrenia recover, about 70%
have relapsing schizophrenia and about 10% are seriously disabled by the illness.

• Death rates from both natural and unnatural causes are high for people with;
schizophrenia; for example they are twice as likely to suffer a fatal accident as the
general population.

• Suicide accounts for 12% of all deaths among people with schizophrenia - far higher
than for the general population.

How Were Users & Carers Consulted?
• Engagement of Salford Mental Health Forum (User group) in endorsement of the guidelines.
(See introduction section).

What Evidence And/Or National Guidance Was Used In Developing The Guidelines?
- Schizophrenia: Core interventions in the treatment and management of Schizophrenia
in Primary and Secondary Care. National Institute for Clinical Excellence, Dec. 2002.

What Aspects Will Be Monitored & Measured To Assess Impact In Primary Care?
• prescribing practices for antipsychotic medications.

• retrospective analysis of referrals to specialist services.

Who Designed These Guidelines?
Core members of mental health guidelines development group.
(See introduction section).

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