This team works to prevent, detect, and manage mental health problems that can be complicated by pregnancy and the postpartum period. The overriding goal is to promote maternal wellbeing and in turn bond and attachment with infant at the earliest opportunity, improving short- and long-term outcomes for both. We aim to prevent admissions to acute mental health wards by working alongside women, families and other professionals with care and support to keep people safe, well and at home.

The community-based team comprises of a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, perinatal psychotherapist, perinatal mental health nurses, a specialist midwife, therapists, a specialist nursery nurse, assistant psychologist, peer support workers, occupational therapist and team administrators.

Referrals

Referrals can be made by any professionals or services within the Plymouth area who are supporting women around the time of childbirth where there are concerns about their mental wellbeing.

• If a referral is accepted, they will offer the person an initial assessment 2-4 weeks following this.
• After an assessment, the team will develop an appropriate plan for the individual, which may be within the perinatal team, or signposted to a better suited service.
• If the individual is allocated to a professional from our service, depending on their needs, and treatment plan, they may be placed on a waiting list for a specific intervention with perinatal therapy team. There can sometimes be a wait for treatment depending on the need and intervention this can be between 0-6 week, during this time, there will be appropriate support and monitoring in place, and you will continue to have an allocated perinatal clinician supporting your care.

If admission to an acute unit is thought necessary, the team supports the woman and her family through this and provides support for up to 24 months after the birth following assessment of postnatal mental health by the nurses. The team will also support a specialist admission to a mother and baby unit if this is appropriate.

Referral form

Self-referrals are only accepted in relation to our Peer Support Groups. We encourage self-referral to these groups should women feel they would be of benefit to them.

Perinatal Peer Support

Livewell Southwest also offers perinatal peer services to support women experiencing low level perinatal mental health issues in accessing support from other women who have been through similar experiences and issues.

The programme has been co-designed with service users and women with lived experiences, offering support, information, and friendly advice.

There are five face-to-face groups that meet weekly:

Nomony Children’s Centre, Cattedown
Monday’s between 10-11.30am

Four Greens Wellbeing Hub, Whitleigh
Wednesday’s between 10 -12 noon

The Barn Children’s Centre, St. Budeaux
Friday’s between 10.00 – 11.30 am

The Rees Centre, Plympton
Friday between 1—2.30pm

Green Ark Children’s Centre, Devonport – NEW
Friday’s between 1-2.30pm

For more information about Peer Support please email  [email protected].

You can self-refer to a Peer Support Group here.