Perinatal mental health service
Who we are
The service serves the London boroughs of Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton, Kingston and Richmond and consists of a multidisciplinary team of clinicians with specialist training and expertise working in the community to address complex mental health needs of women in the perinatal period. The primary aims of the service are: to improve the health and wellbeing of women, their babies and their wider families through increased awareness of mental illness in women during pregnancy and after childbirth, early identification of those women who have, or are at risk of, mental health problems and provision of effective and evidence based interventions.
Who is the service for
Women who are 18 years of age or over. Women with a severe and enduring mental illness or at risk of developing one, who are either pregnant or in their first postnatal year. Severe and enduring mental illnesses are schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, other non-organic psychoses, bipolar affective disorder and recurrent moderate to severe depressive disorder (with or without psychotic symptoms).
Conditions we treat
We cover the following conditions:
Bipolar disorderDepression
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Panic disorder
Postnatal depression
Schizophrenia
Where to find us
Perinatal Mental Health Service
Trinity Building, Springfield University Hospital
15 Springfield Drive
London
SW17 0YF
Telephone: 020 3513 5000
Email: perinatalreferrals@swlstg.nhs.uk
Our opening hours
Monday - Friday: 09.00 - 17.00
Who you might see / our staff
The perinatal mental health team comprises a comprehensive multidisciplinary team who co-ordinate the assessment, treatment and care of women in our care. The team comprises of nurses, nursery nurses, occupational therapists, social workers and psychologists.
- Perinatal Clinical Services Lead: Aki Bola-Emerson
- Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist: Dr Mireia Pujol
- Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist: Dr Leela Chandra
- Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist: Dr Leena Patel
What you can expect
The majority of accepted referrals will have a bio-psycho-social assessment within two weeks of referral. It is the aim of the service that women should have started evidence-based (NICE-recommended) psychological interventions within six weeks of referral.
The majority of women referred for preconception advice will be seen within six weeks of referral.
How to contact us
You can phone us on 0203 513 6577 or email: perinataladmin@swlstg.nhs.uk
Referrals
*From May 2022 the e-RS route will be the only way for GP Practices to send in referrals. This means that all first outpatient referrals must come into our Trust via the Electronic Referral Service (e-RS).
The service base at Springfield Hospital serves as the single point of access for all referrals. Referrers are strongly encouraged to use the service referral form for making referrals and to email their referrals to the team secure email address.
The referral guide is available here
The referral form is available here
Other useful information
Useful links
A copy of our perinatal leaflet can be viewed in various languages below
Perinatal Mental Health nursery nurse leaflet
Conditions we treat
Mental Health Crisis Line
Patient advice and liaison service
Finding a service
Contact us
Mental Health Support Line
Childline
Samaritans