A service for people who live or work in the London boroughs of City & Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets.
The service is provided by East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) in partnership with Barts Health NHS Trust, Homerton University Hospital Foundation Trust (HUHFT) and Maternity Mates.
The OCEAN Service provides:
- Specialist psychological treatment, care and support to those who have experienced a birth trauma and/or loss
- Targeted assessment/intervention for individuals identified with moderate/complex mental health needs arising from, or related to their maternity experience
- Therapeutic care that integrates psychological support, specialist midwifery support, and support around reproductive health.
Individuals experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties arising from:
- Pregnancy loss for any reason and at any time, including miscarriage, failed fertility treatment, termination, or stillbirth
- Neonatal death (death occurring up to 28 days after birth)
- Birth trauma that is not suitable for treatment by any other service
- Severe fear of childbirth due to previous loss or trauma that is not suitable for treatment by any other service
The aim is to provide joined-up care across mental health, maternity and reproductive health. This will fill in the gap where there is no other suitable existing service.
It is offering help to individuals who want and are ready to engage in psychologically based support. This service will provide planned care and is not able to provide crisis support.
This service has been co-produced by service users, voluntary sector organisations, Maternity Voices Partnership and other NHS partners. This has been key to how the service has been shaped based on real-life experiences.