Who are we and how can we help you?

The term ‘perinatal’ refers to the period of time from conception to the end of the first postpartum year.

The aim of the Perinatal Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) is to identify, assess and treat serious mental illness in the perinatal period through working together 
 with women, their families and health professionals.

We provide specialist care and treatment to women whose needs cannot be safely managed by GPs, health visitors or primary care mental health services (steps2change).

We work with women who experience the onset of a new illness during pregnancy or following delivery of a child.

We also support women with a pre-existing diagnosis such as Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia, who are currently well but may be at an increased risk of relapse
following delivery.

This will sometimes involve co-working with colleagues in secondary mental health services.

We're a lovely team of Specialist Doctors and Consultant Psychiatrist, Specialist Pharmacist, Community Mental Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Peer Support Workers and Specialist Psychologists.

We offer a countywide, community-based service from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Outside of office hours, help is available from the local crisis team who will liaise with perinatal staff to transfer care promptly if required.

We are based at:

• The Archway Centre, Lincoln
• The Archway Centre, Boston
• Elm Lodge, Grantham
• Johnsons Community Hospital, Spalding

Your care and treatment

Plans are tailored to suit the individual in order to aid recovery. A written plan
is shared with the mother, and with her consent, other professionals involved with
her care.

The team also encourage pregnant women to keep a copy of this plan in their
handheld maternity notes.

Our aim is to maximise the mental and emotional wellbeing of mothers and
infants.

Some specialist support we offer includes:
• Assessment of risk and care planning
• Monitoring mother and baby attachment
• Managing medication in pregnancy and during breastfeeding
• Liaison with health visitors, midwives, GPs, obstetricians and others

We also offer preconception counselling for women with a pre-existing serious mental illness who are planning a pregnancy to identify and manage the risks that may present during this period.

How can you refer to this service?

Referrals can only be made with the mother’s knowledge and consent by a GP, obstetrician, Health Visitor or Midwife either directly to a member of the team or
by calling 0303 123 4000.

Sometimes referrals may be signposted to a more appropriate service. Decisions and recommendations are confirmed in writing to the referrer and mother.

Unfortunately we are unable to accept self-referrals.

The Perinatal CMHT work to support women to remain at home in the
community. However some women may need the additional support of a specialist inpatient unit. Where this is the case the team work closely with the specialist Mother and Baby Units in the East Midlands.

Hospital admissions and discharges are managed in a safe and timely manner to minimise disruption for families.

We are unable to offer a service to women with mild to moderate mental health problems or those who are using drugs or alcohol unless there is a serious secondary mental illness.

Contact us or for more information

Perinatal Mental Health Team

The Archway Centre

The Carlton Centre

Lincoln

LN2 4WA

Tel: 01522 309540

Email. lpft.perinatalcmht@nhs.net