A new service to support mothers through maternity trauma and loss has been set up in North West London. The Maternity Trauma and Loss Care Service launched on the 26th July for women living in the North West London boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are introducing the service scheme on a pilot basis to help women cope with psychological trauma following stillbirth and neonatal loss, as well as supporting women who experience birth-related trauma and the fear of giving birth.
The service currently offers a wide range of methods to help support women which include individual talking therapies, group therapies, emotional support, detailed birth planning, advice on other services that may be helpful now or in the future, and information on support services for partners and significant others. There are plans in place to extend the service, to all maternity units in North West London, by the end of 2021.
Funding from NHS England and Improvement has been invested by the NHS in North West London, to help set up the pilot and is a joint scheme that will involve Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) and West London NHS Trust (WLT) in partnership with the NW London Local Maternity System.
New clinical psychologists and midwives will form a part of the service to meet the needs of women, with the service expected to reach around 350 women a year. The new service will build on the existing perinatal services and will dedicate a special focus to women whose early experiences have made them more vulnerable to mental health challenges.
There is a specific web page for those who might need the service, to learn more about the service and where to get support.
