Service for women with moderate to severe mental health needs who are:

• planning a pregnancy and need advice
• currently pregnant
• have had a baby in the past six months (with follow-up for up to 12 months)

The team includes perinatal psychiatrists, clinical nurse specialists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and a social worker. The team aims to see new referrals within six weeks of receiving the referral or, if urgent, then within two weeks.

The service is for Camden, Islington, Barnet, Haringey and Enfield residents or women who have a GP in any of those boroughs. Clinics are offered at hospitals where women are receiving their obstetric care in the antenantal period (RFH, UCLH, Whittington, North Middlesex or Barnet Hospital).

SPMHS also see women in the community.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusions

Women:

• age 18+ (for patients under 18 refer to CAMHS)
• Camden, Islington, Barnet, Haringey and Enfield residents or women who have a GP in any of those boroughs
• with a current or previous severe mental illness, including:
  • postpartum psychosis
  • psychotic disorders
  • severe affective disorder
  • severe anxiety disorders e.g. post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, personality disorder
• who are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant or have had a baby within the past 6 months

Exclusions

• substance-misuse problems in the absence of mental health problems
• women experiencing milder forms of perinatal mental health problems (consider a referral to Women's Health Psychological Services)

How to refer

The following clinicians can refer to this service: GPs