Dozens of new mental health hubs are being set up to help thousands of new, expectant and bereaved mothers — and Island mothers will be among the first to benefit.
NHS England said new hubs being set up across the country will bring together maternity services, reproductive health and psychological therapy, offering care and treatment for a wide range of mental health issues including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or severe fear of childbirth.
Other issues new mums may be experiencing include distress following perinatal loss (including early miscarriage, recurrent miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or termination of a baby), and separation at birth.
The Isle of Wight and Hampshire service, among the first to be rolled out, will be run by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, working alongside maternity units to provide a new dedicated Maternity Mental Health Service.
The service will be embedded into the existing IW maternity services, not located at a physical hub.
Dr Hannah Wilson, perinatal lead consultant clinical psychologist at the trust, said: “We are delighted to deliver the Maternity Mental Health Services to new mums across Hampshire and IW.
"We know historically, and nationwide, there has been a gap in pregnant women and new mums receiving the much needed specialist psychological support they need.
"We know the difference this is making to new mums and their families to be able to improve their lives for the better.”
When referred, mothers will be offered a range of psychological support including a tailored care plan that may include one to one support and/or group therapy sessions.
Since January 2020, the team has already received more than 150 referrals, offering over 450 appointments to new, expectant and bereaved mums.
The service has reported significant reductions in psychological distress and symptoms in their patients.
Midwives are already seeing the benefits of the new service that also provides psychological support and supervision to specialist mental health midwifes and midwifery birth reflection teams.
New, expectant or bereaved mothers can be referred by their midwife, GP and other healthcare professionals.
Jude Diggins, the Royal College of Nursing’s interim director of nursing, policy and public affairs, said: “These new, improved services could not come at a more important time.
“Having a baby is a life-changing experience and no one should have to go through this without the help and support they need.
“Sadly, this pandemic has placed even more strain on existing perinatal mental health services as isolation, loneliness and other factors take hold.
“The challenge for these new, more integrated, services will be, as before the pandemic, ensuring there are enough highly-skilled, mental health nursing staff to safely and effectively care for patients when our health and care services are already dealing with widespread shortages and vacancies.”
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