NICE quality standard on mental health

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have published a new “Quality standards” document on antenatal and postnatal mental health.  This document covers the recognition, assessment, care and treatment of mental health problems in women before and during pregnancy and the postnatal period (up to 1 year after childbirth) using 7 key statements, which are summarised below:

Statement 1. Women of childbearing potential are not prescribed valproate to treat a mental health problem as it can harm unborn babies when taken during pregnancy.

Statement 2. Women of childbearing potential with a severe mental health problem are given information at their annual review about how their mental health problem and its treatment might affect them or their baby if they become pregnant.

Statement 3. Pregnant women with a previous severe mental health problem or any current mental health problem are given information at their booking appointment about how their mental health problem and its treatment might affect them or their baby.

Statement 4. All women are asked about their emotional wellbeing at each routine antenatal and postnatal contact.

Statement 5. Women with a suspected mental health problem in pregnancy or the postnatal period receive a comprehensive mental health assessment.

Statement 6. Women referred for psychological interventions in pregnancy or the postnatal period start treatment within 6 weeks of referral.

Statement 7. Specialist multidisciplinary perinatal community services and inpatient psychiatric mother and baby units are available to support women with a mental health problem in pregnancy or the postnatal period.

It is hoped that putting these standards in place will improve maternal wellbeing, service user experience of mental health services, quality of life for women with severe mental illness, neonatal and infant health and wellbeing as well as lowering the suicide rate.

 
Full NICE document may be viewed here