City and Hackney
City & Hackney
City and Hackney Centre for Mental Health Homerton Row, London E9 6SR
020 8510 8151
9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday
About Us
The Perinatal Service works with people who have moderate to severe mental health difficulties in pregnancy or within the first year after childbirth. These may be pre-existing illnesses or they may start in the perinatal period.
If there is a previous, current or a family history of mental health difficulties, you can consent to a referral to this service. Members of the team have many different professional backgrounds: nursing, psychology, and medicine.
What we offer
We provide specialist outpatient and community care to people who are pregnant or in their first year after having a baby. We also provide one off pre-conception counselling to people who have a history of severe mental illness and who are considering having a baby.
Your first appointment with us will either be with one of our consultant psychiatrists, specialty doctor, or another senior member of the team. This could be a Specialist Nurse, Social Worker, Senior Psychologist or Psychotherapist.
In certain cases before you give birth we will hold a pre-birth planning meeting with you 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.
As a service we are pleased to announce that we are now offering assessments to partners and co-parents that may be struggling with their mental health. The assessment will be a one off appointment where we discuss any challenges and difficulties that you may be experiencing. We will then signpost and refer to any relevant services for any further treatment or resources that may be of interest.
If you feel this would be beneficial for your partner/co-parent, please discuss this with your current professional in the team or call the office on 0208 510 8151 and ask to speak to the duty worker.
Update for City & Hackney Residents
As a service we are pleased to announce that we are now offering assessments to partners and co-parents that may be struggling with their mental health. The assessment will be a one off appointment where we discuss any challenges and difficulties that you may be experiencing. We will then signpost and refer to any relevant services for any further treatment or resources that may be of interest.
If you feel this would be beneficial for your partner/co-parent, please discuss this with your current professional in the team or call the office on 020 8510 8151 and ask to speak to the duty worker.
How to Refer
You can make a self referral by filling in the online form or we do accept referrals from the following professionals:
- Health and social care professionals
- GPs
- Community psychiatrists
- Obstetricians
- Midwives
- Health visitors and social workers.
Confidentiality and consent
When you talk with a health professional in private you will expect that what is said remains confidential. This principle is central to trust between patients and their doctor or other health professionals. Details of your care and treatment, including anything you tell us, remains confidential and will only be shared within our multidisciplinary clinical team (which includes health and social care staff) if necessary.
All health professionals are bound by law and professional codes of conduct to this duty of confidentiality to their patients.
Making a Referral
If you live in the boroughs of Bedfordshire, City & Hackney, Newham or Tower Hamlets, and you are pregnant or have recently given birth and find you are suffering mentally or emotionally, please do not suffer alone.
You can fill in the Referral form by clicking on the link below and it will be sent to the team in your local area who will be in touch within 7 days.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency and you or someone you know is in danger, you can contact our free phone Mental Health Crisis Support teams who are available 24/7, 365 days a year. Find the team where you live here>>
Peer Support Workers
Here at ELFT we are very lucky to have perinatal peer support workers as part of our team.
Our peer support workers are individuals with lived experience and have the accredited Royal College of Pyscharitity quailification, whilst also using their experience and empathy to help support a women’s wellbeing.
If you are supported by a Peer support worker, you will feel heard and understood as your sessions will be led by an individual with lived experience the approach is more holistic than medical.
Mother & Grandmother, 73, City and Hackney
35 years ago I went to my G.P saying that I felt I was not coping with having a baby, lack of sleep, a 7 year old at School and a husband who travelled abroad regularly for his work. I had spoken to my Health visitor and she advised seeing my GP. He was very pleasant, asked a few questions and gave me medication, told me to return in 2 months. All over in a 10 minute appointment.
Last year my daughter was obviously suffering too. One day I visited and she was very distressed, had self harmed by scratching at her arms and chest. That afternoon a Lady from Mental Crisis Team visited. She was understanding, listened to my daughter and spent over 2 hours with her. My daughter was given help, empathy and knew she had a contact if necessary. When you have a support, it makes you feel you have the strength to go forward.
18 months later my daughter is strong, positive, laughs and knows that if she has a wobbly moment , someone is there to listen and help
Get Involved
Find a collection of all the events that are being held within the Perinatal Team across East London and Luton & Bedfordshire.
Lara Roberts