Perinatal Mental Health Team (Newham)

House 15
Newham University Hospital,
Glen Road,
Plaistow,
London E13 8SL

0207 363 8801 / 0207 363 8258

The Perinatal Mental Health Team provides specialist care for women with mental health problems who are pregnant or in the first post-partum year, or who are considering pregnancy. The team hold outpatient clinics in a number of locations around the borough, and provides a liaison service to the maternity wards at Newham General Hospital. Inpatient beds are available at the Homerton Mother and Baby Unit. Home visits can be arranged in late pregnancy and the early postpartum period.

We accept referrals from health and social care professionals, including GPs, community psychiatrists, obstetricians, midwives, health visitors and social workers. Referrals can be made using the attached referral form and sent either by fax or email. Please note we do not accept self-referrals.

Appointments are offered after we have received and accepted a referral from a health or social care professional. If you need to re-schedule an appointment then you can contact us on 0207 363 8801 or 0207 363 8258.

Moderate to severe mental illness including severe depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, psychotic disorders and personality disorders.

We provide specialist outpatient and community care to women who are pregnant or in their first year after having a baby. We also provide one off pre-conception counselling to women who have a past history of severe mental illness and who are considering having a baby. Your first appointment with us will either be with one of our consultants, Dr Charles Musters or Dr Jacqueline Humphreys, or one of our nurses, Laura O’Hanlon or Nyasha Choruma. If we offer you further outpatient appointments these will usually be with Dr Musters or Dr Humphreys.

In certain cases before you give birth we will hold a pre-birth planning meeting with yourself and the other professionals involved in your care to discuss how you will be supported during and after your labour. After pregnancy then depending on the level of need you may also have home visits with one of our nurses in addition to outpatient clinic appointments.

We do not currently have a psychology service within our team but we can refer you for this if needed. We also have a specialist mental health midwife assigned to our team. We do not have an inpatient caseload, our nearest Mother and Baby Unit is based at the Homerton Hospital.

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Clinical

Conditions:

Perinatal Mental Health

Clinical speciality:

Adult Mental Health Service

Information Leaflets

Referral Form

Frequently asked questions

How long before I’m seen?

We aim to see all new referrals within four weeks of receiving the referral. If the team decides a referral is urgent, we aim to see within two weeks.

How long is the appointment?

Initial appointment are 1 hour, follow-up appointments are 30 minutes.

Will I be seen by lots of different people?

We understand that continuity of care is important and so whichever doctor sees you in clinic will remain your consultant and continue to see you while you remain under our team, unless you request otherwise. The only exception to this will be if you require an urgent appointment and your usual doctor is away, in which case you may be seen by the other consultant in our team.

Can I bring someone with me?

Yes you can if you wish to, however some of our consulting rooms have limited space and so we can often only have room for one person to accompany you. We also sometimes have to ask questions of a sensitive nature and so may ask to see you by yourself for a brief period of time.

Do you provide interpreters?

Yes, if you or your referrer informs us in advance, we will book an interpreter.

Can I bring my other children?

If they are old enough to talk then we do not routinely encourage other children to be present, as we ask sensitive questions that they may find distressing. However if you are not able to find an alternative option then we will generally try to accommodate them. Please note we do not have any play facilities so you may wish to bring toys or books to keep them occupied.

Can I breast feed my baby in the appointment?

Yes you are very welcome to if you wish to do so. If you need to breast-feed your child either before or after your appointment we do not have any dedicated breast feeding rooms, however if you wish to have some privacy then ask a member of staff who will try to accommodate you if a spare room can be found.