Service development
Service development
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As a team we have also begun to explore how we can provide opportunities for the partners of our patients to avail of support .
Next steps
We have just finished running our second ‘ Mums and Munchkins ’ programme and have begun to consider the benefits of potentially also offering an antenatal support group . We are also hoping to be able to complete a quality improvement project , in line with the ongoing development of groups within the service .
I am still very much at the start of the service development process , but I am thrilled about the potential of further occupational therapy and group development within the service . The thought of being able to actively support this patient group at such a vulnerable time in their lives in such a dynamic way is incredibly exciting .
session this had improved to a 100 % rating of ‘ strongly agree ’.
In regard to ‘ I feel confident in my parenting skills ’, 20 % of participants rated this as ‘ strongly agree ’ and this increased to a 100 % ‘ strongly agree ’ rating at the end of the final session .
We also provided space for participants to add their own comments . One person highlighted the ‘ friendly warm atmosphere … toys and great room ’. They added : ‘ Nice size of group . Felt safe . Discussed confidentiality . Appreciated facilitators sharing experiences too .’
A number of participants pointed to the value of being able to share their story with others . Another person highlighted the value of ‘ speaking to others who are going through what I am . I enjoyed feeling so safe in an environment ’ while a third commented that she ‘ loved that it was something to look forward to every week … loved getting to meet other mums in the same sort of situations , plus the coffee and treats ’.
The theme of not being judged was also apparent , with a fourth participant stating that she valued ‘ being able to talk and not be judged ’ and another echoed this by stating that the benefit of the group was ‘ not feeling as isolated with my perinatal mental health issues ’.
After reflection of all the feedback , we identified a clear theme of mums benefitting from the opportunity to meet and engage with other women also open to the service . As such , we began to explore other group programmes , such as a weekly walking group that took place over the summer months .
Maternal Mental Health Alliance ( 2020 ) Consensus statement on the improvement of perinatal mental health services in Northern Ireland . Available at https :// bit . ly / 3LUCaUB [ accessed 16 December 2022 ].
Mongan D , Lynch J , Anderson J , Robinson L , Mulholland C ( 2021 ) Perinatal mental healthcare in Northern Ireland : Challenges and opportunities , Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , 1-6 . doi : 10.1017 / ipm . 2021.71 .
Department of Health ( 2021 ) Swann approves funding for new Perinatal Mental Health Delivery Model . Available at https :// bit . ly / 3p3T8qB [ accessed 16 December 2022 ].
Five to Thrive ( 2020 ) Five to Thrive – An attachment-based approach to positive parenting . Kate Cairns Associates . Available at https :// fivetothrive . org . uk / [ accessed 16 December 2022 ].
Words CATRIONA JORGENSEN , Occupational Therapist – Advanced Practitioner , Community Perinatal Mental Health Service , Belfast Health and Social Care Trust , Catriona . Jorgensen @ belfasttrust . hscni . net
May 2023 OTnews 25