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Abstract
In this paper we explore the possibility that intervention early in the course of psychosis can act as a form of secondary prevention minimising later relapse, social disability and adverse psychological sequelae. It has been proposed that this early phase of psychosis is a 'critical period': the propositions essential to this concept and the research evidence is outlined and a prototype of early intervention is presented. The escalation of disability and the high risk of suicide in this early phase alone supports the notion of moving services 'upstream' somewhat and we describe a model of service provision currently in place in inner-city Birmingham, UK.