Search

Accessibility
  1. Site map
  1. Text Size:
  2. Contrast:
Translate

Urgent help    facebooktwitteryoutube instagram

Organisation's logo linking to the home page
  1. Home
  2. Our Services
    1. Urgent help
    2. Visiting a Mental Health Ward?
      1. Hadley Ward - Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit Newtown (PICU)
      2. Holt Ward
      3. Hill Crest Ward
      4. New Haven Unit
      5. Athelon Ward
      6. Tudor Lodge
      7. Keith Winter House
      8. Cromwell House
      9. Oak House
      10. Stonebow Unit
    3. I think I might need physiotherapy
      1. Back Pain
      2. Neck Pain
      3. Shoulder Pain
      4. Elbow Pain
      5. Hand Pain
      6. Hip Pain
      7. Knee Pain
      8. Ankle Pain
      9. Foot Pain
      10. About outpatient physiotherapy
      11. Worcestershire Self-Referral Form
    4. Visiting a disability short breaks service?
      1. Ludlow Road - Children's Short Breaks Service
      2. Churchview short breaks service
      3. Osborne Court
    5. I'm worried about a child’s speech or language
      1. Toddler Talk
      2. Advice on speech and language
      3. Dummy Elves
      4. Resources for Children’s Speech and Language
      5. Professional information
      6. SLCN Pathway
    6. Visiting a Community Hospital/Rehabilitation Ward?
      1. Malvern Community Hospital
      2. Pershore Community Hospital
      3. Princess of Wales Community Hospital, Bromsgrove
      4. Evesham Community Hospital
      5. Tenbury Community Hospital
      6. Minor Injuries Units
      7. Worcester City Inpatient Unit
      8. Wyre Forest Ward, Kidderminster Hospital & Treatment Centre
    7. Starting Well in Worcestershire
    8. Welcome to Healthy Minds
      1. Coronavirus and Mental Wellbeing
      2. About Healthy Minds
      3. I need support with my mental health
      4. Self Help Guides
      5. Healthy Minds Patient Resources
      6. Self Referral
      7. GPs Corner
      8. How we can help you
      9. Anxiety
      10. Low Mood and Depression
      11. Stress
      12. Excessive Worry
      13. Self Esteem
      14. Panic Attacks
      15. Social Anxiety
      16. Sleeping Problems
      17. Relationship problems
      18. Phobias
      19. Long Term Conditions
      20. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
      21. Health Anxiety
      22. Losing a loved one
      23. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
    9. I am worried about my Child's mental health
      1. Reach 4 Wellbeing
      2. CAMHS CAST Service
      3. CAMHS PLUS
      4. Specialist CAMHS (Tier 3 CAMHS)
      5. Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder Service
      6. Integrated Services for Looked After Children (ISL)
      7. Youth Justice Service and CAMHS
      8. CAMHS Learning Disability service
    10. Neighbourhood Mental Health Service
      1. Wyre Forest
      2. Malvern
      3. East Team
      4. Hereford Medical Group Team
      5. North & West Team
      6. South & West Team
      7. Wargrave, Belmont and Cantilupe (WBC)
  3. About Us
    1. Accessibility
      1. AccessAble
    2. Our Board
      1. Board Papers
    3. Support for Carers
    4. Support for Armed Forces
    5. Innovation and Improvement
      1. Global Digital Exemplar
    6. Our quality and safety standards
      1. Smoke Free Trust
    7. Documents Library
      1. Patient Leaflets
      2. Patient Group Directions
    8. Data Protection
      1. General Data Protection Regulation
      2. Record of Processing Activities (ROPAs)
    9. Inclusion, Equality and Diversity
      1. Black History Month
    10. Freedom of Information
      1. Publication Scheme
      2. Disclosure Log
      3. Expenditure over £25,000
    11. Overseas Visitors
    12. Working with our Partners
      1. Sustainability and Transformation Partnership
      2. Integrated Electronic Patient Record
  4. Get Involved
    1. Get in Touch
    2. Compliments, Complaints & Feedback
    3. Feedback - Surveys and consultations
    4. Volunteering
    5. Community Engagement Network
    6. Community Engagement Panel
    7. Youth Board
  5. News
    1. Media Enquiries
  6. Jobs
    1. NHS Professionals
    2. Nursing Associate Support Team
    3. Our culture
    4. Preceptorship
    5. Work Experience
    6. Apprenticeships
    7. Why Worcestershire

Search the Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust website

Advanced options
  1. Now viewing:
  2. Home
  3. Search

Search the Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust website

Perinatal Mental Health Team - Worcestershire

  • The Perinatal Mental Health Team is a specialist service focused on helping women at risk of developing, or experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties, during pregnancy and during the year following childbirth or require pre-conceptual counselling.

  • Service Manager Lead: Catherine Cale
  • Address: Studdert Kennedy House,  Spring Gardens, Worcester, WR1 2AE
  • Reception phone number: 01905 734531
  • Service hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, except Bank Holidays. Out of hours, the Crisis Team (our local emergency service) is available if urgent input is required. 
  • About the service
  • What we do
  • How to refer
  • Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
  • Links and Resources

About the service

Pregnancy and the period after childbirth are a time of significant change and transition in someone’s life. It is more common than you might think for mothers and partners to experience a range of emotions during this time. The majority of these difficulties resolve quickly, for instance, 50-80% of women experience baby blues at around 3-10 days after delivery and this comes and goes very quickly.

Some women experience significant mental health difficulties during pregnancy or after birth, even if they have never experience mental health difficulties before.

About 10% of women go on to develop post-natal depression, which often starts around 3 months after they have given birth.  A more serious condition called post-natal psychosis may develop which often (in 1-2 women in every 1000 deliveries) requires a hospital admission. This is a serious illness.

There are some women who we know have a higher risk of developing mental health conditions and we offer screening clinics at the Antenatal clinic to help us identify women who may be of increased risk. We can help them manage that risk and support them during pregnancy and after delivery.

We want to ensure that patient’s needs are met and families are supported. We work with a number of partners, including Midwives and Health Visitors, to ensure this is the case.

What we do

We are a community-based service. This means that the team see people in their home and in clinics across the County.

Worcestershire Perinatal Mental Health Team

The team is made up of the following;

  • Clinical Lead (Nurse) is a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN), as well as a non-medical prescriber. The Clinical lead manages the team and also sees patients in clinic-based settings.
  • Consultant Psychiatrist is a doctor who specialises in treating mental health issues within the perinatal period. The psychiatrist sees patients in clinic settings and advises on medications.
  • Specialist Psychiatrist is a qualified medical professional who specialises in psychiatry. Seeing patients in clinic and may prescribe medications or make referrals to recommended psychological therapies and support via the rest of the team.
  • Psychologist undertakes assessments and formulations of patients and implements therapeutic interventions in order to help patients manage their mental health difficulties.
  • Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPNs) undertakes assessments of women experiencing mental health difficulties in the perinatal period. From the assessment, they will either signpost to appropriate services and resources or develop a plan of care.
  • Mental Health Social Worker acts as a care coordinator and also brings a wealth of knowledge in regards to local social care provision and can support patients to access community supports.
  • Psychotherapist sees patients individually for psychotherapy interventions and has expertise in a variety of different areas such as Eye Movement De-sensitisation Reprocessing.
  • Occupational Therapist (OT) works with patients to identify practical ways for them to overcome physical barriers in their lives and they also act as a care coordinator.
  • Nursery Nurse works with women all over the county to promote the mother-infant relationship and to ensure the emotional and physical needs of babies are met.
  • Peer Support Worker is a previous patient of the service who now uses their own lived experience to support women under the team.
  • Care Coordinator will assess, develop and implement treatment plans and coordinate your care while under the team. They work with you to develop a recovery plan and will coordinate the professionals involved in your care to ensure your needs are met.
  • Administrative Staff

We often have students join our team; you will always be asked if you are happy for a student to be present within an appointment, we are not offended if you say no.

How to refer

Health and social care professionals can refer direct to the team by email: whcnhs.worcsperinatalmentalhealth@nhs.net or via SPA: 01905 681477. 

You can be referred to the service by any health and social care professional such as your GP, Obstetrician, Midwife or Health Visitor.

We accept urgent referrals and if the health or social care professional feels that you need to be seen the same day, we would recommend that they contact the team directly (01905 734531) to speak to the duty worker. All referrals are discussed by the team and we aim to respond within 14 working days.

An urgent referral out of hours should be made via the Crisis Team on: 01905 681915

Patients are currently unable to self-refer to the service. 

Perinatal Mental Health Referral Pathway

Perinatal Mental Health Team Operational Policy

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Will everything I say be kept confidential?

Information is generally shared within the team and your GP and, if required, with your obstetrician, midwife and health visitor. 

On the few occasions we need to discuss the situation with child and family social services, we will discuss this with you.

Can I request a second opinion?

Sometimes circumstances can lead to patients requesting a second opinion, this is positively responded to and supported by the team. If you would like to request a second opinion, please contact the clinical lead: 01905 734531

Can my family and friends who care for me get help?

Our team aims to provide support for your relatives and friends where appropriate.   We can also provide a carer’s assessment which helps to identify the carer’s needs so that appropriate support can be accessed.

What do I do if I need help out of hours?

There is a 24 hour service which caters for those needing out of hours care.  The perinatal team would usually refer you to such care if necessary.

What do I do if I need an interpreter?

The hospital will employ a translator.

Links and Resources

Patient leaflets:

Welcome to the Perinatal Team Leafet 

Perinatal Mental Health Resource Pack 

Perinatal Discharge Leaflet

Patient Posters for Printing: 

You are not Alone - English 

You are not Alone - Polish

You are not Alone - Russian

You are not Alone - Urdu

If you require posters or leaflets in any other format or language, please contact the Trust to arrange this. 

DadPad: 

DadPad is free online information pack developed by dads for dads; helping fathers across Herefordshire and Worcestershire prepare for family life and tackles the mental health issues which can affect new parents.

The app is available to download from App store or Google Play story and covers a range of topics, such as, breastfeeding support, awareness of mental health difficulties, the anxiety and frustrations that come with parenthood. As well as hands-on advice on nappy changing and surviving with no sleep! It aims to provide new fathers with guidance on how to develop the mind-set, confidence and practical skills needed to meet their baby’s physical and emotional needs.

Visit: https://thedadpad.co.uk/app to download for FREE

Videos:

These videos have been produced with women with experience of perinatal mental health conditions and their families to increase knowledge amongst women, their families and health professionals about perinatal mental illness.

 

  • Marie’s story (Maternal OCD)
  • Kate’s story (Antenatal Anxiety)
  • Katy’s story (Postpartum Psychosis)
  • Leanne’s story (Postnatal depression)
  • Tara’s story (Maternal bonding difficulties)

 

Websites:

Worcestershire Healthy Minds

Action on Postpartum Psychosis: https://www.app-network.org/

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG): https://www.rcog.org.uk/

Royal College of Psychiatrists: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders or https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatments-and-wellbeing

·     Perinatal OCD: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/perinatal-ocd

·     Postnatal Depression: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/post-natal-depression or https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/postnatal-depression-key-facts

·     Postpartum Psychosis: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/postpartum-psychosis

·     Mental Health in Pregnancy: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatments-and-wellbeing/mental-health-in-pregnancy

·     Mother and Baby Units: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatments-and-wellbeing/mother-and-baby-units-(mbus)

·     Planning a Pregnancy: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatments-and-wellbeing/planning-a-pregnancy

·     Valproate and Pregnancy: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatments-and-wellbeing/valproate-in-women-and-girls-who-could-get-pregnant

·     Lithium in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatments-and-wellbeing/lithium-in-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding

·     Antipsychotics in Pregnancy: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatments-and-wellbeing/antipsychotics-in-pregnancy

Baby Buddy: www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/baby-buddy

Best Beginnings': www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/out-of-the-blue

Best Use of Medications: www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy: www.bacp.co.uk

Carers Association: www.carersuk.org

Child Information services: www.earlyhelphub.co.uk

Cruse: www.cruse.org.uk or 01905 22223

CRY-SIS HELPLINE: www.cry-sis.org.uk  or 08451 228 669—open 7 days per week 9am—10pm

Gingerbread: www.gingerbread.org.uk/

Home Start: www.home-start.org.uk

Jewish Baby Directory - jweb: www.jweb.org.uk › 

Maternal Mental Health Alliance:  www.maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/

Muslim Bereavement Support Service: mbss.org.uk/

Net Mums: www.netmums.com/support/

Post Natal Depression and Me: www.pndandme.co.uk/

RELATE: www.relate.org.uk

Services Directory | Friends, Families and Travellers: https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/services-directory/

Start 4 Life, NHS advice on what’s best for baby: www.nhs.uk/start4life

The Smile Group: www.thesmilegroup.org/self-help-techniques/

TOMMYS: www.tommys.org/mentalhealth

Unfold Your Wings, Birth Trauma Support: www.unfoldyourwings.co.uk/

Women’s Aid: Tel: www.womensaid.org.uk/ or 0808 2000 247 24hs per day  

Young Carers: www.youngminds.org.uk/young-carers

Books

Mind Over Mood  - By Christine Pedesky
Mindfulness - Finding Peace in a frantic World By Dr Mark  Williams 
Overcoming Postnatal Depression A Five Areas Approach: by Christopher Williams, Roch Cantwell and Karen Robertson
Eyes Without Sparkle: A Journey Through Postnatal Illness by Elaine Hanzak
Another Twinkle in the Eye: Contemplating by Elaine Hanzak
Mummy and Me - By P Malgosia

Back to top of page Print this page Email this page Site map

Head Office

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
2 Kings Court
Charles Hastings Way
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR5 1JR

T: 01905 763333

Our Partners

 

Wye Valley NHS Trust

NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG

Herefordshire Council

Worcestershire County Council

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

 

together-logo

We are recruiting. Check out our latest vacancies here

Work for us

Copyright © 2021 Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust Safeguarding Policies Modern Slavery Act Accessibility Gender Pay Gap

Powered by VerseOne Group Ltd