Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Service (PIMHS)

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

South: This clinic operates as a discrete clinic in the south only.

This clinic at the RHH sees pregnant women with both pre-existing and new mental health illnesses, or concerns of possible mental illness in the antenatal period and postnatally up to 12 months.  The RHH sees pregnant women with both pre-existing and new mental health illnesses, or concerns of possible mental illness in the antenatal period and postnatally up to 12 months.

The clinic includes a multi-disciplinary team with two part-time psychiatrists, two psychiatry registrars, a perinatal mental health clinical nurse consultant and an infant mental health clinical psychologist.

This service is operated via the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and operates alongside the Obstetric Service.  RHH Antenatal services will also provide referral to this service if required.  If uncertain about suitability please phone RHH switch and ask to speak to a member of the perinatal psychiatry team.

The North West does not have a dedicated Antenatal Mental Health Clinic.  Pre-existing mental health conditions are managed by the GP and can be referred to the Perinatal Mental Health Liaison CNC for further assessment and treatment.

All referrals should comply with the Referral Standards and specifically include:

  • A description of concerns.
  • Any assessment tools utilised (e.g. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale).

For referral please identify the mental health issues on the Statewide Antenatal Referral Template or supply a separate referral if booking in/delivery has already occurred.

Tests

  • Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Obstetrics clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

If uncertain about suitability, or for interim advice please phone RHH switch and ask to speak to a member of the perinatal psychiatry team.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Emergency

Patients who are an acute and immediate risk to themselves or their child

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Circle of Security Website: The Circle of Security gives permission to use the downloadable handouts from their website for teaching to parents and mental health professionals.

Emergency:

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent:

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine:

Next available appointment