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Beacon Maternal Mental Health Service

  • The new Beacon - Maternal Mental Health Service (MMHS) is an outpatient therapeutic service, offering targeted psychological interventions. We offer a service to women who are experiencing moderate, severe and complex mental health difficulties (or difficulties which are at a level that mean day to day life and/or the new parenting relationship is significantly affected) linked to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following birth trauma or perinatal loss, baby loss at any stage or a severe fear of childbirth.

About the service

We offer a service to women and birthing people who are experiencing moderate, severe and complex mental health difficulties (or difficulties which are at a level that mean day to day life and/or the new parenting relationship is significantly affected) which are linked to the following:

We work with a range of health and care organisations across Herefordshire and Worcestershire to ensure your care is seamless which include, but are not limited to, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Maternity Services, Wye Valley Maternity Services and the Starting Well Partnership.

At Beacon, our specialist teams will:

Assess and offer treatment to patients that may include psychological intervention by a Clinical Psychologist or Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT). The team also has a Peer Support Worker (PSW) who will be able to offer appointments to patients based on lived experience. The team also has a Specialist Midwife.

What is Tokophobia?

Tokophobia is a severe fear (phobia) of childbirth. This fear of childbirth can emerge even if a woman really wants a baby. For some women this may also impact on their  feelings towards their pregnancy. This can affect up to 14% of women. Primary tokophobia refers to women who have had no previous experience of birth but who nevertheless have a strong fear of childbirth. In these cases, the feelings of dread associated with childbirth may link to experiences as far back as childhood.

Secondary tokophobia is considered to be a form of post-traumatic stress disorder. It is the most common form of tokophobia.

Information for professionals

Referrals can be made by a health or social care professional by completing this referral form which should be emailed to whcnhs.maternalmhs@nhs.net. Referrals will be reviewed and discussed at a weekly multi-disciplinary team meeting, where a decision about the referral will be made. A letter will then be sent to the patient and the referrer with an outcome of the decision. This may be an appointment letter, an onward referral to another service or advice, given in the form of signposting.

Contact us

Beacon Maternal Mental Health Service Reproductive/Birth Trauma & Loss Service
Studdert Kennedy House
Spring Gardens
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR1 2AE
Email: whcnhs.maternalmhs@nhs.net
Telephone: 01905 520410

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How do I access the service?
Referrals can be made by your GP or any other health or social care professional.

Will everything I say be kept confidential?
Information is shared within the team, with your GP and, if required, with your obstetrician, midwife and health visitor. On the rare occasion that we need to discuss the situation with child and family social care, this will be discussed with you.

Can my family and friends who care for me get help?
Our team provides information of available support for your family and friends where it is appropriate. Information can also be sourced from this website. The service will offer assessment to fathers/partners who are having difficulties with their mental health. This will be for assessment only and onward referral or signposting were required. If a carer has been identified, we will refer for a carers assessment.

What do I do if I need help out of hours?
If you require help and support outside of office working hours (Monday-Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm) in relation to your mental health, please contact the 24/7 mental health helpline on 0808 196 9127. If you require help and support in relation to your other health needs, please contact 111.

How do I give feedback about the service I have received?
You can contact our Patient Relations Team who offer confidential advice, support and information on our services and your treatment. We recognise the value that comments, complaints,  concerns and compliments can provide. Your feedback assists us in developing better quality and higher  standards of healthcare for all of our service users, carers and families.

Useful links and resources

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 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. Download the app. 

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