ELFT - Services - Perinatal Mental Health Team (Bedfordshire & Luton)

Address

The Lawns Resource Centre
Biggleswade Beds SG18 0PT

Phone

01767 223153

Who we are

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 county and provides joint psychiatric and obstetric appointments at the antenatal clinics at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, And Bedford Hospital. 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 email to our secure inbox at elft.blperinatal@nhs.net

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 01767 223153

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 our consultant psychiatrist, Dr Sonia Sangha or a member of our team. This could be a Specialist Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, or Nursery Nurse.

If we offer you further outpatient appointments these will usually be with Dr Sangha.

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 have an inpatient caseload, the nearest Mother and Baby Units are based at either the Homerton Hospital in East London, or Radlett in Hertfordshire.

Clinical

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.

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.