Service Title:

Otago District Health Board

Service Details:

PO Box 1921
Dunedin
Tel: 03 474 0999

Service Focus:

No specialist perinatal team in Otago. Women who require assessment and treatment receive this through emergency psychiatric service, consult liaison service or community mental health teams.

Types of Service:

Women and their families have access to psychiatrist, nurses, SW, OT, psychologist, needs assessment in both in-patient and community settings

Referral Process:

Referrals received from midwifes, Plunket, GP’s, emergency psychiatric service

Comments:

There has been a recommendation following review of mental health services (2003) to create a perinatal position.
We have a interest group of mental health clinicians who meet 2-4 weekly to discuss current issues, liaise and interface and to look at current services, with the aim to make services more streamline and transparent.
We have a clinician who liaises with the regional mothers and babies team in Christchurch. There is a monthly teleconference, with the regional team. There is educational study days 3-4 times a year that the regional team attend and present at. These days are attended by ODHB mental health professionals, midwives, Plunket nurses and some NGOs. They have been well received, great education and forum for networking and improving collaboration.

Phone, 0800 724496

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