FRIDAY, 18 DECEMBER, 2020

Immediate release:

New perinatal mental health services being developed in Tayside

New mental health services to support pregnant women, new mums and their families are being launched in Tayside next year.

NHS Tayside has received funding from the Scottish Government to develop a Community Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Service and a Maternity and Neonatal Psychological Intervention Service.

The services, which are due to start in April 2021, will provide essential support to families to support them in their mental health and wellbeing needs during the perinatal period, which is from conception to 18 months after a baby is born.

Untreated perinatal mental health problems are a major public health concern and can have long-term impacts on the physical and mental health outcomes of mothers, babies, partners, and families.

The development of these new services will play a key role in supporting the changing needs of women and families throughout pregnancy and early years of life.

The new services are being developed in partnership with service users, clinical staff and third sector partners.

Previous users of perinatal services in Tayside are also being encouraged to give their feedback to help shape the new service in a short questionnaire. If you are a previous user of the service and would like to share your feedback, please complete the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/N2HMKLW

Specialist midwife in perinatal mental health Justine Anderson, said, “I am delighted that NHS Tayside has been successful in receiving funding from Scottish Government to develop and implement a perinatal mental health team.

“This is a vital resource for the women and their families and is a further indication of NHS Tayside's commitment to developing the essential structure of collaborative working between a multi-disciplinary team.”

Dr Moira Kennedy, GP and Chair of the Tayside Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Steering Group that is developing the service, said, “I'm delighted that we have secured funding to develop perinatal and infant mental health services. These services are vitally important in meeting the needs of women and families throughout pregnancy and the early years of life. 

“We are working hard to deliver the service by April next year and l'm really looking forward to seeing the positive impact the services will have for women and families in Tayside.”

Rosey Adam, founder of PND and Me, a website dedicated to maternal mental health awareness, is a member of the steering group and is supporting the development of perinatal and infant mental health services in Tayside following her personal experiences of care.

She said, “I'm passionate that all mothers deserve timely access to and appropriate care for their mental health. I'm really pleased to see the development of the new perinatal and infant mental health service as this will have a long lasting positive impact on the outcomes for women and their babies.”

The development of the new perinatal mental health services in Tayside is part of the ongoing work of the Tayside-wide Mental Health and Wellbeing (MHW) Change Programme. For more information on the change programme visit www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk.

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718