News
Salford takes first place with support programme for mothers with pre- and postnatal depression
Help is at hand in Salford for mothers who suffer from pre- and postnatal depression. A team of therapists will now offer rapid access to specialist assessment and treatment to mothers in the SureStart areas who suffer from these conditions or who are at high risk of developing mental health problems.
The team, who have pioneered this unique service have been awarded first prize in a competition that recognises innovation in healthcare. The awards are organised by TrusTECH®, the NHS Innovations organisation that recognises and supports innovative ideas from NHS staff in the North West of England.
The rate of depression amongst new mothers in the SureStart areas of Salford is nearly four times the national average and research has shown that depression in the mother can also have adverse effects on a child’s health (e.g. cognitive, emotional and behavioural development).
Suzanne Glendenning, a Clinical Psychologist in Salford, and part of the team, said: “Women who suffer from depression before their babies are born often suffer from it afterwards as well. But they are reluctant to take medication for fear of harming the baby. So it’s very important that they have access to this specialist service as quickly as possible.”
Presenting the prize to the Dr Glendenning, Dr Maire Smith, National Director of Technology and Product Innovation (Department of Health) said: “This is an excellent example of cooperation between the NHS and SureStart, the Government programme which aims to achieve better outcomes for children, parents and communities. Through early diagnosis and treatment, this team will make great strides in improving the wellbeing in this area of both children and their mothers.”
The pre- and postnatal depression team consists of Dr Suzanne Glendenning and Dr Pauline Hall (Clinical Psychologists), Marjorie Finnigan (Perinatal Mental Health Worker), Cathy Worthy (Counsellor) and co-founder Jeanne Lythgoe (SureStart Midwifery Lead).
Finalists in the awards were
- (joint first) a dual screening programme for sexually transmitted infections (North Liverpool PCT)
- (third) a diabetes patient education programme (Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT)
- (highly commended) an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) and hearing clinic for children with Downs Syndrome (Central Manchester and Manchester Children’ University Hospitals Trust)
- (highly commended) an interactive health promotion initiative for men (South Sefton PCT and Southport and Formby PCT)
END
Photo of Suzanne receiving prize. Dr Maire Smith, Dr Suzanne Glendenning, Dr Pauline Hall, Mr Don Hammond (TrusTECH Chairman)
For further information, contact
- Emma Smith, Communications Officer, TrusTECH.
Tel: 0161 276 6964
Email: emmasmith@trustech.org.uk
- Liz Reuben, Communications Manager; Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health Trust
Tel: 0161 772 3986
Email: ekreuben@trusthq.bstmht.nhs.uk
Notes for Editors
The North West NHS Innovation Awards is an annual competition managed by TrusTECH
The competition is open to all NHS staff in the North West and people holding honorary NHS contracts. The aims of the competition are to:
- Identify innovations that have the potential to deliver improved healthcare
- Stimulate and encourage a culture that is open and receptive to change by raising the profile of innovation in the NHS
- Raise awareness of the importance of innovation management among NHS staff
- Provide innovative NHS staff and departments with recognition for their ideas
Set up in 2002, TrusTECH is an NHS organisation that provides NHS staff in the North West with advice on identifying, protecting, sharing and commercialising healthcare innovations
TrusTECH is based at Manchester Royal Infirmary, with offices in Liverpool and Preston, and is part of the NHS Innovations network (www.innovations.nhs.uk)
The Salford Perinatal Mental Health project is a partnership between Salford SureStart, Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health NHS Trust and Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust