How SLaM's National Psychosis Unit is making a difference nationwide
“I genuinely look forward to my clinical days because of the people I work with and the difference we strive to make—no matter the circumstances and the challenges that we might face as many NHS services” - Dr Maria Nettis, Consultant Psychiatrist
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM)’s National Psychosis Unit (NPU) is a centre of excellence – supporting people with complex, treatment-resistant psychosis. Based in South London, but accessible to people across the UK, the NPU offers a unique combination of personalised care, global clinical insight and multidisciplinary expertise.
Joined-up care with a national reach and international expertise
Referrals to the NPU come from every part of the UK. As one of the few services nationally commissioned to support people with treatment-resistant psychosis, the NPU plays a vital role in the NHS - bridging local teams, specialist expertise, and complex care needs.
Collaboration is at the heart of the model. The team works closely with other expert services to ensure care is holistic, well-coordinated and responsive to co-existing physical and mental health conditions. It’s a joined-up approach that reflects the Government's new 10-year plan for the NHS in action: integrated care, personalised support and better outcomes for those with the most complex needs.
And the impact doesn’t stop at discharge. The focus is on long-term recovery, renewed independence, and sustainable improvements to quality of life - for both individuals and their families.
Additionally, the team possess international expertise in psychosis, having trained and worked in leading centres across Europe. This global perspective enriches care with cutting-edge approaches and culturally attuned insight - setting the service apart on a national stage.
Complex needs, co-ordinated care
Psychosis is a complex and often deeply distressing condition, affecting how a person interprets reality - sometimes involving hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking. At the NPU, a dedicated multidisciplinary team brings a range of expertise to support.
In the inpatient service, the team draw on their medical and pharmacological expertise to individualise and optimise treatments. Outpatients receive specialist assessments and tailored recommendations, shared with local teams to support ongoing care. The psychology team deliver evidence-based therapies, helping people make sense of their experiences and manage symptoms. On the ward, nursing staff provide day-to-day therapeutic support, building trust and responding to both the mental and physical health needs of patients. The occupational therapy team help individuals regain structure, purpose, and independence through meaningful activities and future-focused goals.
One of our patient's carers said: “I am very grateful that my son has the input and expertise of a multidisciplinary team around him... nursing staff have been excellent.”
Together, the team addresses the full picture of each person’s recovery - not just the symptoms, but also their quality of life, relationships, and sense of self.
Life-changing outcomes, backed by evidence
The impact of the NPU speaks for itself - with clear, measurable improvements in health, recovery, and quality of life — as outlined in this BJPsych Open study. After treatment at the NPU:
- The average number of psychiatric hospital admissions per person dropped by almost half.
- Time spent in psychiatric hospital dropped by over 135 days per person.
- Physical health hospital stays also decreased significantly.
- Patients were prescribed more effective treatment (notably increased access to clozapine) and lower doses overall.
- Most were discharged to lower-intensity settings - a sign of genuine, sustainable recovery.
These admissions have also resulted in less expensive long-term costs for the NHS. Alongside clear clinical success, these outcomes reflect stories of resilience and recovery, made possible through the team’s expertise and dedication.
A service user shared: “the staff here are really helpful and nice. I really enjoy the nursing and OT activities on the ward.”
Team reflections
Some NPU team members share what it means to be part of the National Psychosis Unit, in their own words:
Driving innovation
Furthermore, the NPU's work is grounded in the latest research. SLaM is proud to be active contributors to the evidence base through our close partnership with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London. As leaders in specialist mental health research, we also collaborate across medical disciplines - ensuring our care is informed, innovative, and at the forefront of clinical excellence.
Transformative care, nationwide
With a truly national reach and a commitment to internationally informed, evidence-based practice, the National Psychosis Unit stands at the forefront of specialist mental health care. By combining personalised treatment, multidisciplinary expertise, and strong research partnerships, the NPU is not only improving outcomes for individuals - it’s setting a new standard for how complex psychosis is understood and treated across the UK.
If you or someone you know is living with treatment-resistant psychosis, specialist support at the NPU can make a life-changing difference. The NPU offers both inpatient care and outpatient support led by specialists at the forefront of psychosis treatment.To learn more about the evidence behind their approach, see this landmark Lancet Psychiatry study .
