South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has employed its first maternal mental health midwife to help bridge the gap between maternity and mental health services in the Middlesbrough community.
Abbie Mills joined the STEPS for maternity team at The James Cook University Hospital in February and hopes to reduce the stigma around poor mental health when pregnant.
She works closely with them to develop birth plans that focus on keeping their mental health well, provides one-to-one walkarounds of the maternity environment and attends elective caesareans, induction labours and births to provide support, where possible.
After working as a rotational midwife at the hospital for over four years, Abbie has spent a lot of time on the postnatal ward supporting women and families through the high and lows of becoming parents.
She has joined the STEPS team alongside obstetric consultant Andie Johnson and psychologist Angela Watson, who all share the same passion for supporting women with mental health concerns. They all meet on a weekly basis to view and action referrals.
She said:
The STEPS team and I are hoping to make a positive impact on these women and their family’s long term mental health to improve the stigma and awareness around maternal mental health in the process.
“I see mental health as of equal importance to physical health and so it has been amazing to hear people’s feedback after only being in post for a few months. One lady even said if she gets pregnant again, she wants me to take over her care.”
Abbie’s post is funded by Middlesbrough family hubs, and she currently delivers care to patients in various locations across the Middlesbrough community, including local children’s centres and James Cook hospital and she makes home visits, when needed.
Abbie hopes her role will continue beyond the funding period so support can be extended to women receiving care at the Friarage Hospital.