Mental health service for new mums expands into Rotherham

The Perinatal Mental Health Service, run by Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust (SHSC) currently supports mums in Sheffield.

But it will soon deliver care in Rotherham and Doncaster, where the Trust said there was currently limited support for new mums.

One in five women experience mental health problems after having a baby, according to SHSC.

Suicide is still the leading cause of death for women during pregnancy and in the year after giving birth.

Last year in Sheffield, the service received more than 700 referrals for support.

The county-wide service will be run jointly by SHSC and Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) with charities Forging Families, Pandas and Light Sheffield.

One-to-one specialist care, peer support and support for new fathers will all be on offer.

The expansion is part of a £365 million investment into perinatal mental health services over the next five years from NHS England.

Kevan Taylor, SHSC chief executive, said: “This is wonderful news for families across Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster.

“Our existing service, although relatively small has an excellent reputation locally and we’re looking forward to being able to support even more people thanks to this extra funding.”

He added: “This is just another example of how NHS organisations working together alongside local charities can expand much valued services that make a real difference to our local communities.”

Christina Harrison, director of the RDaSH Children’s Care Group, said: “We are pleased to have been successful with the joint bid with Sheffield for perinatal mental health.

“This will have a huge positive impact for families within our areas.”

To find out more about the support to be offered, call 0114 2716069 or email [email protected].