Mums in Norfolk to get more support as mental health hub set to open
The area has been chosen to trial a new government initiative
Medics in Norfolk are hoping a new scheme to support new, expecting and bereaved mothers will have a 'positive effect' on women.
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has been chosen to pilot the Maternal Mental Health Hubs - and will be one of 26 hubs across the UK.
The N&N, James Paget and QE in King's Lynn will all be involved in the hub.
NHS England's Mental Health director, Claire Murdoch says the door is open for any mothers needing help.
In Norfolk and Waveney, the service will support women:
- who have experienced birth trauma or have tokophobia (a significant fear of childbirth)
- who have experienced bereavement (repeated miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death)
- who have had a baby removed at birth by social services
It will see staff from NSFT work alongside specialist midwives at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and James Paget Hospital to provide trauma-focused therapy, as well as attachment therapy for those who have had children removed.
Melanie White, Consultant Clinical Psychologist with NSFT, said:
"We are delighted that Norfolk and Waveney has been chosen as one of the sites which will develop and test a maternal mental health service before they are rolled out nationally as part of the NHS's Long Term Plan.
"The service will bring together maternity, reproductive health and psychological therapy, and will see NSFT clinicians work closely with midwifery colleagues from our three acute hospitals to ensure women receive psychological interventions at the right time and a seamless service from the NHS.
"We have been working with women who have experienced birth trauma or loss as we have been developing the service, and will continue to liaise with them over the coming months as we gear up to launch in April.
"We hope that the service will make a really positive difference to these women by ensuring they can access consistent, high quality care which meets their individual needs."