The Specialist Midwife will deliver a high standard of care for woman with specific mental health problems in pregnancy and the postnatal period, and their families. The Specialist Midwife will be required to have excellent communication skills in a sometimes-difficult environment, using tact and diplomacy. Communicates complex matters verbally and in writing. The role will be part of a multidisciplinary team with high level of relevant expert knowledge and skills, which will be used to manage, develop and care for pregnant and new mothers with complex mental health needs, including tokophobia, birth related and complex trauma, perinatal loss, working alongside perinatal psychologists and other health professionals.
The Specialist Midwife will provide a link between acute maternity services and other services involved in mental health care for women, including the local primary care therapy service and perinatal mental health team. This will ensure that relevant pathways, policies and processes for women with, or at risk of, mental illness are developed, implemented and audited. This will involve working with a range of relevant professionals, services and agencies. To be responsible and accountable for ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and efficient care to women with perinatal mental health needs during pregnancy and the postnatal period.
Working as part of an MDT across both Maternal and Perinatal pathways. They will act as a vital link between Maternity Services and other universal and statutory health and social care providers. Additionally, they will take on a strategic and developmental role within local maternity services. Key responsibilities include: Leading and developing projectsrelated to Perinatal and Maternal Mental Health across the locality.
Strengthening collaborationsto deliver high-quality early support services for women and families. Contributing to wider service development, aligned with the Long-Term Plan and the ambitions for family-focused support and maternal mental health services in maternity settings. Auditing service provisionagainst local pathways. Providing consultation, training, and supportto a range of partners involved in Perinatal and Maternal Mental Health.