Address
Lanchester Road Hospital
Lanchester Road
Durham
DH1 5RD
Telephone
Service opening hours
Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm
What is the perinatal mental health team?
The Durham and Darlington perinatal community mental health team provides a community service to support women who are experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy or in the first two years after they have had their baby.
Why do we need a perinatal mental health team?
Mental illnesses affect more than one in ten women during pregnancy and the first two years after childbirth. (Reference 1)
During pregnancy and after birth, women can be affected by a range of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression and postnatal psychotic disorders.
Some women are at increased risk of experiencing mental illness in the perinatal period, particularly those who have suffered from a severe perinatal mental illness previously.
Who works in the team?
The team is made up of specialist mental health practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, specialist community nursery nurses, support workers, team manager and administrative staff.
Who does the team see?
The team supports women living in County Durham and Darlington who are either pregnant or up to two years post-natal, and who have been suffering with significant mental health difficulties that requires specialist support.
Who can refer me?
You can be referred by your GP, health visitor, midwife or another professional who works with you.
What will happen when I am referred?
You will be contacted by a member of the team to discuss your referral. If we are unable to reach you by telephone, we may send you correspondence by post. If you do not feel that you would need an appointment, it would be helpful to let us know.
Initial appointments can last up to an hour, and it is an opportunity for you to discuss your current difficulties. You are welcome to bring a friend, family member or other professional to this appointment if you would find this helpful.
Your baby may be present at appointments.
How can the team help me?
If we decide that the perinatal service is the best service to support you, you will be allocated to one of the clinicians within the team. They will then work with you to agree a care plan to help meet your individual needs and find solutions to support you on your road to recovery.
If we are not the right service, we will support you in accessing alternate provisions where possible.
Will everything I say be kept confidential?
Everything you say and the information you provide will be kept confidential within the perinatal team. The only instance in which we would need to break your confidentiality is if it was felt there was a risk to yourself or others, but we would speak to you about this.
Can my family and friends who care for me get help?
If you have an identified carer, we are able to offer them a partner/carer’s assessment.
More information is available via the below websites:
Out of hours support
If you or your partner need help outside of the perinatal team’s normal working hours, you can contact the crisis team on 111 and select the mental health option (2).
How can I get the support of an Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)?
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) services provide an additional safeguard for patients who are subject to the Mental Health Act. IMHAs are specialist advocates who are trained specifically to work within the framework of the Mental Health Act to meet the needs of patients.
Independent Mental Health Advocacy services do not replace any other advocacy and support services that are available to patients but are intended to operate in conjunction with those services.
For more information, please read our Independent mental health advocacy IMHA Procedure.
References
Feedback
Please let your care team know if you want to comment on whether:
- this information is useful
- any information is missing
- you do not understand the information
Do you have concerns or complaints?
If you have concerns or complaints about a service, you can:
- tell a member of staff
- call our complaints team – freephone 0800 052 0219
- email [email protected]
Information in other languages and formats
All our website and leaflet information can be made available in many formats. Please ask a member of staff if you would like this information in another language, large print, audio or braille.
