Cheshire and Mersey Specialist Perinatal Service

Who we are

One in five women experiences mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year after birth.

The Cheshire and Mersey Specialist Perinatal Service provides important mental health assessment and support for local women experiencing moderate to severe mental health issues during this time. 

Our friendly teams include psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health nurses and occupational therapists. We aim to work with women and their families who have significant difficulties and distress associated with perinatal mental health by providing:

  • Preconception advice and counselling

  • Specialist mental health assessment and intervention for mental health concerns which could include psychosis, depression, anxiety and intrusive thoughts linked to pregnancy

  • Review by specialist consultant psychiatrist

  • Therapy sessions

  • Case management for complex cases

  • Liaison and joint work with other services and agencies

  • Advice for referrers and clients

  • Specialist training in perinatal mental health

Our specialist teams also able to provide consultation and advice to fellow healthcare professionals providing perinatal care. 

Working in partnership as part of a Cheshire and Merseyside-wide service, our team covers Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and Warrington. 

When accepted into the service, each woman will be allocated a practitioner who can act as a point of contact. 

Who is our service for?

Our service is for women and their families who have significant difficulties and distress associated with perinatal mental health.

Who do we work in partnership with? 

Our team works as part of a Cheshire and Merseyside wide service in partnership with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.

We work closely with other healthcare professionals including midwives, health visitors, social workers and early help workers. We also work with our colleagues in adult and child mental health services. 

How to access our service

You can be referred to our team by a healthcare professional such as your midwife, health visitor, GP or existing mental health team. 

Healthcare professionals can then contact the team for advice or make a referral to the service. 

What will happen at your first appointment?

The first appointment is the start of building a relationship with your healthcare professional. The appointment will either be in a woman’s home area or at her home. Children and family are welcome to the first appointment, however, we can also accommodate discussions alone if there are concerns or a preference. 

The first appointment will be an opportunity to talk about current problems, past difficulties and future worries. This is so we can try to understand how to offer appropriate support. It can be helpful to be prepared for this appointment - perhaps writing down concerns, bringing an up to date medication list and birth plan, if completed.  

We understand that that can be a stressful time and for some people talking about the past and future worries can be distressing. The appointment can be stopped at any time and continued at a later date if necessary. 

 

Who to contact

Telephone
01925 275 303
Website
perinatal service

Where to go

Name
Specialist Perinatal Service
Address
Hollins Park Hopsital
Hollins Lane
Winwick
Warrington
Cheshire
Postcode
WA2 8WA

Time / date details

Session Information
Available 9am-5pm
Monday to Friday

Other details

Availability

Local/National Service?
Local

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