What we did

Our study looked at whether it is possible to deliver the IRIS+ intervention in a small number of practices in England and Wales. We also looked at the barriers and enablers of delivering IRIS+ and its potential cost-effectiveness.

We used a range of methods to test the feasibility of IRIS+. We collected and analysed data between 2019-22 from:

• clinical training observations
• GP medical records
• interviews and questionnaires with clinicians, adults and children referred to the IRIS+ service, and professionals delivering IRIS+
• domestic abuse agency data systems on referral and service support contact.

What we found

The study found that IRIS+ successfully facilitated the identification and referral of children and young people (15% of total referrals) and men (mostly survivors, 10% of total referrals). It also revealed a high referral rate for women, doubling from the rate in the original IRIS trial.

GPs were the primary referrers. Over two-thirds of referred women and children and young people, and almost half of all referred men received direct specialist support from the service.

The cost-effectiveness feasibility model indicated that IRIS+ is likely to be cost-effective or even cost-saving from a societal perspective.

Next steps

Further research is needed to establish the effectiveness and actual, rather than modelled, cost-effectiveness of the intervention.