Perinatal Community Mental Health Service – (Ashgrove and Penshaw) – CNTW040

The Perinatal Community Mental Health Team provides a multidisciplinary service for women with mental health problems relating to pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood living in Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, Northumberlandand, Sunderland and South Tyneside.

We care for women with a range of moderate to severe common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and severe mental health disorders such as bi-polar, psychosis and schizophrenia.

The team also supports women discharged from the inpatient Mother & Baby Unit, Beadnell at St.George’s Hospital, Morpeth, Northumberland.

The service offers care and treatment including:

• Pre-conceptual counselling available from Perinatal medical staff for women who have a diagnosis of severe mental illness to plan for any potential pregnancies.
• Specialist care and care planning for women with an increased risk of developing a puerperal psychosis following birth including those with a previous history of puerperal psychosis or psychotic disorders or a diagnosis of Bipolar I, Schizoaffective and Schizophrenia.
• Integrating mental health support into Obstetric clinics.
• Assessment, diagnosis and intervention of a range of mental health difficulties.
• Training, consultation, support and advice to front line staff working with perinatal period.
• The Team works together with the linked Specialised In-patient Mother and Baby Unit (Beadnell Ward) to provide alternatives to admission and treatment and support in the community for women following discharge from an inpatient stay.
• Promotion of early mother-child relationship and attachment whilst the mother’s mental health is recovering.
• Safeguarding children and adults through daily contact with families, supporting early help plans.

 How to get referred

Via Midwife, Obstetrician, Health Visitor, Specialist Mental Health Service and GP referral