We’re cheering on Buckinghamshire Perinatal Mental Health Service in the final of the NHS Parliamentary Awards in London next week.

The team is shortlisted for the national NHS Parliamentary Awards in Mental Health after being named regional South East winner of the NHS.

The team was nominated for the prestigious award by Buckinghamshire MPs Steve Baker and Joy Morrissey.

Nominating the team Wycombe MP Steve Baker said:

“I have had excellent feedback from constituents who have used the perinatal service offered by Oxford Health, and I wanted to acknowledge the great work the team is doing.”

Buckinghamshire Perinatal Service is a specialist service providing assessment and treatment of women with complex and severe mental health problems during and after pregnancy. It launched in May 2019 and brings together Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Buckinghamshire Mind professionals to provide wrap around care and support for mothers and their babies.

The team includes consultant psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, pharmacist, mental health nurses, social workers, occupational therapist, nursery nurses, team administrators and a Bucks Mind support worker working together to support women and their families.

Perinatal Lead Practitioner Claire Daniels

Perinatal lead practitioner Claire Daniels will be representing the team at a gala awards ceremony in London on Wednesday, July 7 to hear the national winner announced.

With attendee numbers limited due to coronavirus restrictions, the event will also be live-streamed. That means the whole Buckinghamshire Perinatal Service Team will have a chance to tune in with fingers crossed to hear the result from their bases in Buckinghamshire.

People who have received care from Buckinghamshire Perinatal Mental Health Team have praised the team, sharing how the team has given them the right amount of support and care, staff listened to them and understood their problems and helped them understand their illness. In a July 2020 snapshot, 97 per cent of people who used the service said staff helped them be more confident caring for their baby.

One mother said:

“This service is an absolute lifeline.

“I will always, always praise this service as my daughter is now nine months and I have been enjoying her in a way that I never did with my first. At 18 months I was still struggling due to late specialist intervention.

“I am so thankful that this service is here to support me and I hope all PMHT are as good as this throughout the UK.”

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Nick Broughton said:

“Mothers tell us the support, care and treatment provided by Buckinghamshire Perinatal Mental Health Team is life changing. The team should be rightly proud of the care they provide. This award and shortlisting is a real testament to their dedication to caring for mothers and their families and we all wish them luck in the final in London.”

The trust’s digital consultation programme was also awarded a local NHS Parliamentary Award by Swindon MPs.