Service available in:
Who we are
One in five women experiences mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year after birth.
We provide important mental health assessment and support for local women and birthing people experiencing mental health issues during this time.
We can help in a number of ways:
Specialist assessment and support
We provide one to one assessment and ongoing support if you are pregnant or have a baby who is under 24 months, and:
- Are currently experiencing complex or severe mental health problems
- Have a history of, or are at risk of, developing severe or complex mental health problems during the perinatal period, even if you are currently well.
Pregnancy planning
We offer pregnancy planning support appointments if you are thinking about, or planning to have, a baby, and:
- have a history of complex mental health problems or are taking medication for mental health problems
- are worried about the impact having a baby will have on their mental health
- have anxiety around pregnancy, childbirth or becoming a parent.
You can call your local team to refer yourself.
Please let us know if you need adjustments to suit mobility, language or other specific needs.
Phone consultation and advice for health professionals
We provide advice for any health or social care professionals working with women who are receiving support from primary or secondary mental health services and are either pregnant, planning a pregnancy or have a baby who is under 24 months.
- The Specialist Perinatal Service supports women* and families across Cheshire and Merseyside to access specialist advice about their mental health during the perinatal period (pregnancy to 24 months postnatal)
- We support all women of childbearing age (no upper or lower age limit to refer). Where the woman is under 18 years of age, joint working with CAMHs will be recommended
- We support women who are registered or in the process of registering with a GP located within Cheshire and Merseyside.
*The term ‘woman’ is used however, it is acknowledged that not all people referred identify with this term. The Specialist Perinatal Service is inclusive of all people giving birth.
Our team works as part of a Cheshire and Merseyside-wide service in partnership with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
- We do not accept self-referrals, but women can be referred to our service by any professional supporting them such as a GP, midwife, health visitor, social worker, voluntary sector agencies
- The above professionals should make sure they have consent to make the referral and let people know to expect a call from us so we can complete a telephone triage
- Referrals are made by completing our referral form and emailing this to your local service
- Emergency referrals do not require a referral form and should be made via telephone to the local Specialist Perinatal Service between Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Mersey Care (Halton, Warrington, St Helens and Knowsley) Tel: 01925 275 303
Mersey Care (Liverpool and Sefton) Tel: 0151 702 4012
Cheshire and Wirral Tel: 0151 488 8434
Outside of these working hours referrers should contact our out of hours services such as Mental Health Crisis Lines which are available 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Your first appointment is the start of building a relationship with the perinatal professional. The appointment will either be at a venue in your local area or in your own home. Children and family are welcome to the first appointment, however, we can also see you alone if you prefer.
Why we ask you questions at your first appointment
We have two documents which explain why we ask questions and what we do with the information you give us:
What are Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)?
Further information - What are Routine Outcome Measures (ROMs)?
Hannah's story
Below you can watch a video with Hannah, a mum from Warrington who has used our Specialist Perinatal Service. In the video, Hannah shares her experience of postnatal depression after the birth of her son, and how our service has helped her.
COMING SOON