Healthy London Partnership is delighted to announce that London Perinatal Mental Health Network has been shortlisted for the Acute or Specialist Service Redesign Initiative at this year’s HSJ Awards, recognising their outstanding contribution to healthcare.

The judging panel, made up of a diverse range of highly influential and respected figures within the healthcare community, have shortlisted Healthy London Partnership despite the tough competition from hundreds of excellent applicants. London Perinatal Mental Health Network have been selected based on their ambition, visionary spirit and the demonstrable positive impact that they have had on patient and staff experiences within the health and social care sector.

1 in 5 mothers suffer from perinatal mental health difficulties during pregnancy or in the first year after childbirth.  In 2016, fewer than 15 per cent of localities across the country provided effective specialist community perinatal services, and more than 40 per cent provided no service at all. In London, provision was variable – women in the majority of boroughs did not have access to specialist perinatal mental health care.

The collaboration of the London Perinatal Mental Health Networks has resulted in the establishment of professional forums to promote engagement; sharing of best practice by addressing system challenges and by developing tool kits and guidance across London with a strong focus on co-production. The Network has supported the training of clinicians across the care pathway by raising awareness and by increasing confidence amongst various professionals in this area of mental health.

With a more integrated care approach through partnership working, the pathway has led to improved outcomes for mothers and children in the short, medium and long term. Benefits include the appropriate use of services, early intervention and the prevention of escalation and crisis.

The collaboration of the London Perinatal Mental Health Networks has resulted in women able to receive a wider range of interventions from low intensity self-help programmes, to high level specialist in-patient care. This is wholly due to the knowledge, passion and commitment of its members to improving mental health care for women in the perinatal period.

Sir David Sloman, Regional Director for the NHS in London, said: “This is important recognition of the difference that the London Perinatal Mental Health Network is making to the lives of many children.

“With 1 in 5 mothers experiencing mental health difficulties during or following pregnancy, it is right that we embrace solutions to ensure that women receive care that is so vital for them and their families.”

Phil Moore and Vincent Kirchner, Co-Clinical Directors of the London Mental Health Transformation Programme, said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Acute or Specialist Service Redesign Initiative, recognising the collaborative efforts and dedication of our staff members over the last 12 months to successfully implement perinatal mental health initiatives.

“This nomination highlights the invaluable work contributed by our colleagues in the voluntary sector that work alongside the NHS to deliver first class patient care.

“We are committed to delivering improved outcomes for our patients, and to be chosen among the other incredible nominees is a wonderful achievement.  This nomination has been a tremendous boost to staff at Healthy London Partnership and I am sure it will bolster our continued efforts to improve our services.”

Alistair Mclellan, HSJ editor, said: “We would like to congratulate Healthy London Partnership on being nominated in the category of the Acute or Specialist Service Redesign Initiative ahead of this year’s 2019 HSJ awards.

“We are looking forward to welcoming them to the ceremony in November, to join us in recognising the very best achievements and innovations in the healthcare sector. The entrants this year have been of incredible calibre, and each of the finalists in this category have been chosen based on their outstanding commitment to excellence in healthcare.”

The full list of nominees for the 2019 HSJ awards (partnered by GRI) can be found on https://awards.hsj.co.uk/2019-shortlist

Winners will be selected ahead of the 2019 HSJ awards ceremony, which is due to be held at the Battersea Evolution Centre, London on November 6, 2019.

For more information on perinatal health, visit www.transformationpartnersinhealthandcare.nhs.uk/our-work/mental-health-transformation/perinatal

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