Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Service (PIMHS)

This condition is treated in the Obstetrics clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

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

This clinic at the Royal Hobart Hospital 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 Royal Hobart Hospital 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.  Royal Hobart Hospital Antenatal services will also provide referral to this service if required.  If uncertain about suitability please phone Royal Hobart Hospital 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 Royal Hobart Hospital switch and ask to speak to a member of the perinatal psychiatry team.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

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.

Clinic appointments

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

Emergency

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

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital (Womens + Level 5)
Phone:  1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5214

North West

Fax: 1800 027 538

Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 1800 940 766

North West Regional Hospital (North West Regional Hospital) Outpatient Clinic
Phone: 1800 940 747

Burnie Maternity enquiries
Phone: 03 6432 6110 Monday to Friday, during the day (8:00am - 4:30pm)
Phone: 03 6432 6031 Night time, weekends, and public holidays.

Various sites - to be confirmed at time of booking

South

Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6173 0473

Antenatal appointments:
Wellington Clinics (Level 8)
Midwife Antenatal Outreach Services available.

Postnatal appointments:
Mistral Place
Phone: 03 6166 0462

Pregnancy Assessment Centre:
Royal Hobart Hospital (Level 7, K Block - East)
Phone: 03 6166 8352

Mental Health Services Helpline:
Phone: 1800 332 388