The Pan-London Perinatal Mental Health Network are gathering information on disparities in access to, and funding for, perinatal mental health within secondary and tertiary care. This map produced by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance gives some indication of the variation in perinatal mental health spending by CCG.
Whilst the Network is aware which services should be available, they would like to know what practical difficulties GPs have experienced in accessing these services e.g. limited access to consultant advice, rejected referrals, long waiting times for IAPTs for perinatal mental health patients etc.
This data will be presented to the Pan-London Board who have responsibility for oversight of access to services. Without prejudicing any response, the feeling is that so far the primary care-secondary care interface has not been given priority.
We would appreciate your feedback before Tuesday 31 July so we can report back to the Network and advocate for a minimum level of support to be offered to GPs. Please could you feedback via your list server or by emailing hannah.theodorou@lmc.org.uk.
Last updated : 16 Jul 2018