The Uk System Is That Of Health Visitors - 1665 Words

A role unique to the UK system is that of health visitors. Through the Healthy Child Programme and the Health Visiting Implementation Plan, the NHS provides new mothers and their families with additional support starting in the postpartum period and lasting through the child’s first five years of life (Department of Health, 2011). Health visitors are usually qualified nurses or midwives who underwent specialized training are to work in the community and family health field. They are also skilled at detecting mental health problems in pregnancy and the postpartum period and are able to conduct non-directive counseling and cognitive group work and recognize which women would benefit from additional visits and support (Department of Health,†¦show more content†¦Unless they are a specialized midwife, they will need to work collaboratively with primary care and mental health services. Unlike the US, obstetricians only deal with high risk and complex pregnancies, including women with severe mental illness. The role of the specialist mental health midwife is again unique to the UK however it is not available in every health setting, according to a recent report by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, almost half of UK do not have access to specialized maternal mental health services, potentially leaving them and their babies at risk (Hogg, 2013). Specialist mental health midwives when present, play an integral part in delivery continuity of care for women who experience mental illness during pregnancy and postpartum (Warwick, 2014). They are responsible for coordinated support, discussing needs, make referrals to other services, planned the care of affected women and support non-specialized midwives with expert knowledge. There is considerable variation in the qualification needed to become a specialized mental health midwives. Midwives specializing in maternal mental health may consider additional training in psychological approaches as well as the health sci ences to advance and broaden skills,