The Westminster Perinatal Mental Health Service works in partnership with Imperial College Healthcare Maternity Service, primary care community services including community midwifery, health visitors and GPs, Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT), Westminster Children and adult social care services and voluntary organisations.

The service offers assessment and treatment to women experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy and within the first year after delivery. This specialist care is delivered at St Mary’s maternity unit, your home or in local community centres depending on your preference. You are entitled to access this service even if you choose to deliver your baby at a hospital different from St Mary’s as long as you are a Westminster resident or you are registered with a GP in Westminster.

  • Preconception advice for women with complex or severe mental health problems
  • Assessment and care for women with mental health needs during pregnancy and for 12 months after birth (many women do not need to be seen for the whole 12 months)
  • Advice on the risks and benefits of using mental health medication in pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Care planning for pregnant women with severe mental health problems
  • Planning for the postnatal period to promote wellbeing and prevent relapse
  • Identification and management of the impact of obstetric complications on a woman’s mental health
  • Facilitating access to the most appropriate type of psychological interventions
  •  Advice and support on the mother-infant relationship
  • Training and education to service users and their partners, relatives and friends, health and social care professionals and voluntary organisations.

Women aged over 18 years, registered with a Westminster GP or resident in Westminster can be referred at any stage of the pregnancy. You are entitled to access the service even if you decide to book your antenatal care in a hospital different from St Mary’s.

The service considers referrals from GPs, midwives, obstetricians, health visitors and other health professionals.

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (except bank holidays)

Please note this is not an emergency service. If you are in a crisis and you need urgent help, please contact your GP or the out of hours urgent advice and crisis support on 0800 0234 650.

The clinic is located at:

  • Paterson Cabin, 16 South Wharf Road, W2 1PF

Train: Paddington Station, Royal Oak Station and Bayswater Station

We believe that people with lived experience of mental health can make an important contribution in helping us improve our service and deliver better patient centred care. Please take a few moments to let us know what you think of our services by completing our online friends and family test survey.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of age, background, gender, religion, sexuality, or ethnicity. We have compiled a list of useful resources to help you identify and counter domestic abuse. 

NHS England


Asian Women Resource Centre (AWRC)

referrals.awrc@awrc.cjsm.net or referrals@awrc.org.uk


The Dash (Domestic Abuse Stops Here) Charity

Web: www.thedashcharity.org.uk


Domestic Violence Assist

Emergency Injunction Service and Occupation Orders

Phone: 0800 195 8699

Web: www.dvassist.org.uk


Forced Marriage Unit (FMU)

Phone: 020 7008 0151

Web: www.gov.uk/guidance/forced-marriage


Galop

National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) domestic abuse helpline

Phone: 0800 9995428

Web: www.galop.org.uk


Karma Nirvana

Support for victims and survivors of FM and/or HBA

Phone: 0800 5999 247

Web: www.karmanirvana.org.uk


Men’s Advice Line 

Support for men experiencing domestic abuse

Phone: 0808 801 0327

Web: www.mensadviceline.org.uk


National Stalking Helpline

Support for victims of stalking

Phone: 0808 802 0300

Web: www.stalkinghelpline.org


Respect

Advice for perpetrators, partners and professionals

Phone: 0808 802 4040

Web: www.respectphoneline.org.uk


SAFE!

Support for young people 8 to 25 years old hurt by crime

Phone: 0800 133 7938

Web: www.safeproject.org.uk


24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Phone 0808 2000 247 www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk


Reunite

Abduction Prevention Guide

Web: https://www.reunite.org/


Jewish Women’s Aid

Web: https://www.jwa.org.uk/


Women’s Aid  

Web: www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/the-survivors-handbook/


Domestic and sexual abuse support for Arabic-speaking women 

Web: https://www.solacewomensaid.org/get-help/other-support-services/al-hasaniya-moroccan-womens-centre


BME Domestic and sexual abuse support

Web: https://www.riseuk.org.uk/get-help/about-domestic-abuse/bme


Southall Black Sisters

Web: https://southallblacksisters.org.uk/


Support for Black survivors of abuse and violence

Web: https://www.hersana.org/


Happy Baby Community

Web: https://www.happybabycommunity.org.uk/


Multilingual Perinatal Mental Health awareness-raising films

Dr Zahera Kapasi Talks About Perinatal Mental Health in Gujarati

General Practitioner Dr Anita Raja talks about perinatal mental health in Urdu

Psychotherapist Amandeep Soomal talks about perinatal mental health in Punjabi 

Psychotherapist Katarina Rigova talks about perinatal mental health in Slovak

Midwife Faiza Rehman talks about perinatal mental health in Mirpuri

General Practitioner Doctor Anita Raja talks about perinatal mental health problems in Dari.