People with psychosis and bipolar disorder die earlier mainly from physical illness, and today's English data show that gap widened even after vaccines arrived. At each review, spend two minutes on the physical side: weight, blood pressure, smoking, glucose and lipids when due, and vaccination status. Record it where the next clinician will see it.
- Record weight and blood pressure at every review for patients on antipsychotics.
- Check glucose and lipids at baseline, 3 months and then yearly on second-generation antipsychotics.
- Ask about smoking and offer cessation support; it is the largest modifiable risk.
- Confirm vaccinations, including boosters, and arrange any that are missing.
Why it matters
Mental health services often see these patients more than any other clinician does.
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