Shropshire mothers to be among first in country to benefit from new service
New, expectant and bereaved mothers in Shropshire will be among the first in the country to be able to access new mental health support services.
The new NHS service, announced by health leaders in April, will eventually be rolled out across the country.
But those in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, together with Birmingham, will be among the first places across England to benefit.
It comes as NHS Digital data reveals there were around 145 open referrals to a perinatal mental health team in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin at the end of January. That had risen slightly from a year earlier.
Perinatal mental health problems are those which affect women during pregnancy or in the first year after their child is born.
According to the NHS, perinatal mental illness affects up to one in five new and expectant mothers and covers a range of conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder.
The new service being launched in the county will be available for women with moderate-severe or complex mental health difficulties associated with loss and trauma directly linked to their maternity experience.
It may include those who experience PTSD following birth trauma and have experienced perinatal loss, or those with a severe fear of childbirth.
Fiona Ellis, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Local Maternity System programme manager, said: “This new multi-agency approach brings professionals caring for women together in weekly meetings to discuss cases and share expertise and experience.
“This enthusiasm, willingness and incredible joint working between maternity and mental health colleagues at all levels improves access to care and ensures women experiencing maternal mental ill-health can quickly receive the specialist input they need.”
