Our Perinatal Mental Health Service consists of an acute inpatient unit and two specialised community teams – one in southern Derbyshire and the other in north Derbyshire. It provides treatment for women experiencing mental health problems either antenatally or postnatally.
The Beeches
The Beeches, formerly the Mother and Baby Unit, is an award winning self-contained specialised inpatient unit based at the Radbourne Unit, on the Royal Derby Hospital site. It can accommodate up to six mothers with their babies. Women can be admitted from 32 weeks antenatally or postnatally with their babies up to the age of nine months, but in exceptional circumstances, up to one year.
Treatment is given by a consultant psychiatrist, psychiatric nurses, nursery nurses and health care assistants, with access to occupational therapy and psychology services if needed.
View a video about the Beeches, below.
The Beeches rated as one of the UK's best
The Beeches has been nationally accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists for a second successful time following a visit from external healthcare professionals and ‘expert patients’ who are part of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ quality network for perinatal mental health.
This kite mark, which lasts for three years, highlights and offers assurance that the Beeches is offering high quality care to pregnant women and new mothers who are experiencing acute mental health issues.
The team are now being visited on a yearly basis by the Royal College of Psychiatrists quality network. This takes the form of a peer review to ensure that the unit is maintaining the standards met and to highlight any service developments.
Referral procedure and criteria for inpatient services
Inpatient referrals will be accepted from:
- Consultant psychiatrists
- General practitioners (GP)
- Consultant obstetricians
- Perinatal Community Mental Health Team
- Crisis Teams
Contact either the secretary on 01332 623800 or the ward team on 01332 623828.
Pleae complete the universal referral form at www.nhswebbeds.co.uk
Women need to be experiencing one of the following conditions:
- A puerperal psychosis
- Severe postnatal depression
- Severe anxiety disorder
- Significant disorders of bonding
- Relapse of existing mental health problems e.g. schizophrenia, major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder
Priority will be given to women from Derbyshire, but out-of-area referrals will be accepted subject to bed availability. Unfortunately facilities do not exist to manage older children, but an open visiting policy is encouraged.
We would not normally accept referrals for women who:
- Have an infant under the care of the local authority
- In the absence of mental illness have a primary diagnosis of either personality disorder or drug/alcohol misuse
On admission, a named nurse and nursery nurse will be allocated, who will facilitate an individual treatment plan and support package prior to discharge. The team liaises directly with any midwifery or health visiting services involved. In addition to this there is a link midwife and health visitor attached to the unit.
Community Teams
Our specialised community teams serve the people of Derbyshire.
The southern team is based at:
The Radbourne Unit
Royal Derby Hospital
Uttoxeter Road
Derby
DE22 3WQ
Telephone: 01332 623911
The North team is based at:
Scarsdale
Newbold Road
Chesterfield
S41 7NW
Telephone: 01246 216523
Assessment and treatment is given by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of a consultant psychiatrist, community psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists and a nursery nurse. Referrals can be made to the community team antenatally from the end of the first trimester or up to six months postnatally.
Referral procedure and criteria for community services
Referrals to the community team will be accepted from:
- Consultant psychiatrists
- General practitioners (GP)
- Consultant obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- Community Mental Health or Crisis Teams
- Midwives
- Health visitors
Contact the Perinatal Community Mental Health Team using the details below:
South Derbyshire: Telephone 01332 623911 or email to Dhcft.perinatalcmht@nhs.net
North Derbyshire: Telephone 01246 216523 or email to Dhcft.perinatalcmht@nhs.net
If you wish to make a referral please complete this referral form. Midwives will have a standard referral template to be used when screening for mental health problems at the booking appointment. Where possible this should be discussed with the woman prior to referral. Referrals will be reviewed by the multi-disciplinary team and prioritised accordingly. We aim to see urgent referrals within one week of referral and routine referrals within five weeks. We do operate a waiting list. Referrers will be advised of the outcome in writing. Weekly referral meetings are held every Tuesday in South Derbyshire and every Wednesday in North Derbyshire.
Referrals will be accepted:
Preconceptually
Those with existing serious mental illness, usually schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depressive disorder, who require advice about treatments and the risks associated with pregnancy. These women would normally be already under the care of a Community Mental Health Team.
Antenatally
- Women with serious mental illness, i.e. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe depression/anxiety disorders
- Women who have developed significant mental health difficulties that cannot be managed in primary care
- Women at risk of developing serious mental illness following delivery, e.g. those with a history of bipolar disorder or serious postnatal illness in first degree relatives
- Women with previous history of puerperal psychosis, severe postnatal depression, severe anxiety disorders including OCD
- Women who have been admitted to a psychiatric unit or treated by psychiatric services in the first year following the birth of a child.
Postnatally
Mental health problems either arising for the first time or relapse of existing mental health difficulties. In addition women with significant disorders of bonding or attachment may be seen. Women who are already under the care of mental health services will require a CPA review prior to transfer of care.
We would not normally accept referrals for women:
- who are being successfully treated in primary care
- whose infant is older than six months.
