AWARDS
Buckinghamshire perinatal mental health service regional winners in NHS Parliamentary Awards
Lizzie Evans
Buckinghamshire ’ s perinatal mental health service are in the them and understood their running for the prestigious national NHS Parliamentary Awards problems and staff helped after winning in the awards for the South East . them understand their
The specialist service provides assessment and treatment illness . All agreed they would of women with complex and severe mental health problems recommend the service to during and after pregnancy . It launched in May 2019 and others , and 97 per cent said brings together Oxford Health and Buckinghamshire Mind staff helped them be more professionals to provide wrap around care and support for confident caring for their mothers and their babies . baby . It is one of many perinatal mental health teams that have Adds Lizzie : ’ As a team been started in England in recent years to provide more we know we ’ re making comprehensive support for new and expectant mothers , a difference to people ’ s lives because of the feedback we typically involving occupational therapists in their offering . get and the changes for the families we work with , but to
Lizzie Evans , an occupational therapist in the actually have it formally recognised by the NHS and now by Buckinghamshire team , said : ‘ The service is still developing , the parliamentary awards , with the potential for more at the and is evolving in response to service user feedback . national awards , is really good to hear . It validates the work and ‘ This work has been an opportunity to use core skills care of the team .’ to support women adapting to the significant role change
One mother said : ‘ This service is an absolute lifeline . I will and disruption of parenthood , and the unique complexity always , always praise this service as my daughter is now nine of perinatal mental health . Together we can negotiate new months and I have been enjoying her in a way that I never did routines and roles , and use co-occupations to tailor everything with my first . At 18 months I was still struggling due to late around the mother and baby . It has the potential to set up specialist intervention . positive lifelong outcomes .’
‘ I am so thankful that this service is here to support me and
The team has had to adopt to working online this year , I hope all perinatal mental health teams are as good as this including the use of Support , Hope and Recovery Online throughout the UK .’ Network ( SHaRON ), a peer support-based network to ensure The national awards will take place in the summer . Lizzie has that people have support at all times . also been a keen member of the new RCOT ’ s perinatal mental
When patients were asked about their experience with the health clinical forum , part of RCOTSS – Mental Health , taking service in July , all agreed or strongly agreed that staff gave part in last year ’ s training and using it to stay in touch with them the right amount of support and care , staff listened to peers . To find out more or to join , visit : www . rcot . co . uk / mh / cf .
Submissions now open for RCOT ’ s first fully virtual annual conference
Members can now submit content proposals to RCOT ’ s first fully virtual annual conference , which is being held on 30 June and 1 July .
Presenting at conference offers a chance for members to promote successes , share good practice , build their CPD portfolio and raise their professional profile .
Content from conference will also be published in the annual conference online BJOT supplement .
Members can submit either abstracts for scientific sessions and posters , or new for 2021 , session proposals for more informal discussions or practical activities relating to or affecting the profession . These sessions can can offer an informal , creative and interactive opportunity to engage , collaborate and encourage learning .
This year is also the first time that will see the conference programmed around themes . All abstracts and sessions proposals need to fit to one of four overarching themes : equality , diversity and inclusion ; the impact of occupational therapy ; new ways of working ; and rehabilitation and recovery . This year ’ s conference sessions will be available both live during the two-day event and on demand afterwards . Submissions are now open and can be made until 1 March at : www . rcot . co . uk / annual-conference .
6 OTnews January 2021