Abstract
Aims and MethodTo survey current specialist perinatal psychiatric provisions and opinion about these services in England. A brief semi-structured confidential questionnaire was circulated to the lead clinician or manager responsible for perinatal services of the 78 mental health trusts in England.ResultsFifty-seven trusts (73%) responded. In 26 trusts (46%), availability of either specialist in-patient facilities and/or intensive home treatment facilities were reported. In only 13 trusts (23%) was there evidence of provision of services covering both in-patient and community components. The number of mother and baby units or their equivalents has reduced in the past decade. The services were generally considered to be inadequate nationwide and opinion remains divided about the best approach for providing them.Clinical ImplicationsThere is a need for a recommendation of a national standard provision of perinatal services by mental health trusts.
Highlights
There is a need for a recommendation of a national standard provision of perinatal services by mental health trusts
Reports show that suicides in women with psychiatric disorders are a leading cause of maternal deaths in England and psychiatric disorders continue to impact adversely on pregnancy, mothers, infants and society at large (Brockington, 1998; Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2000; Department of Health, 2001; Evans et al, 2001)
Opinions vary about the best approach for the provision of these services: ranging from a traditional integrative approach that involves strengthening existing generic community mental health teams and other services, to stand-alone specialist services which address the needs of perinatal women (Perinatal Specialist Interest Group, Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2003)
Summary
To survey current specialist perinatal psychiatric provisions and opinion about these services in England. A brief semi-structured confidential questionnaire was circulated to the lead clinician or manager responsible for perinatal services of the 78 mental health trusts in England
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