Clinical Nurse Specialist - Liaison Psychiatry with an interest in Perinatal Mental Health

The primary purpose of this CNS (Perinatal Mental Health) post is the provision of specialist mental health care and treatment to women in the perinatal period with moderate to severe mental health problems/ illnesses.

The CNS (Perinatal Mental Health) will deliver care in line with the five core concepts of the role set out in the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts 4th edition, National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) 2008.

A particular focus is working with women at high risk of serious mental health problems during the perinatal period. This includes women with bipolar disorder, a previous history of puerperal psychosis, severe perinatal depression and anxiety, e.g., OCD or severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

In holding a case load of women with a range of moderate to severe mental health problems/illness, the CNS (Perinatal Mental Health) must provide clinical expertise and practice in the specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment of these women. They must support their ongoing care, including their infants and families as required.

The CNS (Perinatal Mental Health) will provide specialist mental health interventions based on the clinical formulation and the assessment of the individual care needs of each woman, including considering the mother-infant relationship, and involving the partner where indicated.

The CNS (Perinatal Mental Health), alongside colleagues will provide specialist consultation and guidance to the CMS (Perinatal Mental Health Care) and maternity team in the maternity hub/spoke

Each CNS (Perinatal Mental Health Care) is a member of the hub-based specialist Perinatal Mental Health team for that hospital group. A key function is close working with CMS (Perinatal Mental Health Care), colleagues in hubs to ensure a seamless service is provided for women.

The CNS Liaison Psychiatry will provide Adult, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and Elderly rapid specialist assessment and initial management for patients of all ages who attend the Emergency department (ED) with self-harm dual diagnosis alcohol and drug related mental health problems, and acute psychiatric presentations, including but not limited to panic, psychosis and acute stress reactions. Support timely discharge from the ED avoiding unnecessary prolonged lengths of stay in the hospital environment whilst also reducing unnecessary admissions to secondary care.

There will be a requirement to work collaboratively with acute Hospital colleagues and develop pathways of care and referral procedures with other statutory and voluntary agencies within the community/ locality.