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Valued support from Ealing Perinatal Mental Health Service

Posted By Ealingealingealing

"Valued support from Ealing Perinatal Mental Health Service"

About: Ealing Perinatal Mental Health Team

(as the patient),

I have a history of PND, so was referred to Ealing Perinatal Mental Health Service when I booked in with my second pregnancy.

I was dealt with calmly and just like an ordinary person with no feeling of stigma.

When I began having my appointments, I had some choice over what type of expert I wanted to see (Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Midwife etc) and switched between them for a bit.

I settled on the Clinical Psychologist and saw her every 3 weeks or so, but it could've been more or less frequently if I had needed that. She was able to see me at a Children's Centre near my house to avoid my constantly having to travel to the hospital, which really helped.

I built a strong, open, productive and comfortable relationship with my Clinical Psychologist and really valued the time she spent with me.

After my baby was born, I was lucky to be able to continue seeing her and discussing what was going on. She even came to my house when my baby was very new.

My experience this time round has been very different, partly thanks to the preemptive intervention of Ealing Perinatal Mental Health Service.

I only hope that the service is as aware and supportive of first-time mums who may not know where to turn.

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Responses

Response from Acting Service Manager, West London NHS Trust 7 years ago
West London NHS Trust

Submitted on 01/12/2016 at 13:28
Published on Care Opinion at 16:08

Dear Ealingealingealing,

Thank you for taking the time to give us feedback about the service. The service is still relatively new so its really good to hear that you had a positive and helpful experience during your time with the team.

We are working closely with GPs, midwifes and health visitors to raise awareness of mental health issues in the perinatal period and there is also is information on WLMHT website about how mums / pregnant women can seek help if needed.

Best wishes

Susan McCabe

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Ealingealingealing (the patient)

Thanks for responding. However, having experience of "slipping through the net" with my first pregnancy, I can't see how putting information on the website is going to help pregnant women/new mums who are really struggling. They'd have to be motivated to search for information.

I know I wasn't and just felt like I was alone and drowning. The support and information available has to be more obvious, such as posters in GP waiting rooms, leaflets in postnatal packs/red books, adverts at bus stops, etc.

I hope that helps!

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