Oxford researcher builds new route to support psychosis

Dr Graham Blackman, a senior clinical researcher in the university’s Department of Psychiatry, focuses on improving care for individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis and is developing new NHS care pathways.

Dr Blackman said: “Although it can have a devastating impact, many people who experience an episode of psychosis make a full recovery when they receive the right care.

“That combination of challenge and hope is what continues to inspire me.”

With support from the Wellcome Trust and the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Oxford Health, Dr Blackman is launching the Baseline Biomarker Check (BBC) Clinic, an integrated clinical-research platform within the Oxford Early Intervention Service.

Developed alongside Professor Philip McGuire and Dr Daniel Maughan, the service offers a comprehensive diagnostic assessment, including MRI brain imaging, cognitive assessment and neurological examination. 

Dr Blackman has also developed and implemented a new Oxford Early Intervention Service pathway for first-episode psychosis designed to improve early treatment and monitoring for those recently diagnosed with psychosis.

The pathway will be further evaluated through his upcoming NIHR postdoctoral fellowship, beginning in September.

Patients may also choose to participate in research aimed at understanding the biological causes of psychosis.

Having spent a year at Harvard University during his undergraduate psychology degree, Dr Blackman described his long-standing interest in psychosis and psychiatry.

He also said: “I feel incredibly fortunate to combine clinical work, research and teaching, and every week brings something different.”