Perinatal Mental Health Team

 

Introduction

The Perinatal Mental Health Team specialises in the assessment, diagnosis and short-term management of women affected by a moderate-severe mental illness in the preconception, antenatal and postnatal period.

 

Referral Criteria

Women, registered with a Cornish GP:

• With suspected puerperal psychosis – warrants emergency discussion and referral
• Antenatally and/or postnatally* with a moderate-severe mental illness
• For pre-conception advice: the patient must have a known severe mental illness and/or complex psychotropic prescribing

*Postnatal referrals will be accepted up to 18 months post-partum and interventions can be offered up to the baby’s second birthday.

 

Required Information

• Patient consent.

 

Referral Process

In emergency situations, such as suspected puerperal psychosis, please discuss via telephone:

• Mon-Fri 9-5pm: 01872 246 820
• Out of hours: 01208 251 300 or 01209 881 999

Referrers are also encouraged to discuss urgent enquiries or whether a referral is appropriate.

 

To make a referral:

• Patient: the service accepts self-referrals.
• Healthcare professional: complete the Referral Form and email to cpn-tr.perinatal@nhs.net. Alternatively, GPs have the right to refer via referral letter in the usual way

 

Within office hours, referrals will be reviewed according to priority:

• Emergency referrals within 4 hours of receipt – it is vital to phone if an emergency referral
• Urgent referrals within 48 hours
• Routine referrals within 5 working days

 

Supporting Information and Resources

CPFT: Perinatal Mental Health Team

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP)

 

Page Review Information

Review date	14/02/2025
Next review date	14/02/2027
Specialty Lead GP	Dr Laura Vines
Contributors	Jessica Wills, Specialist Perinatal Team Manager (East)