Available on the Learning Hub
This programme is available on the NHS Learning Hub. We recommend you read the information on this webpage to find out more about the programme before you access the learning (https://learninghub.nhs.uk/Catalogue/GPSpotlightPodcasts).
More information about the Learning Hub and the migration of elfh programmes can be found here.
About the South West Perinatal and Infant mental health Network GP Spotlight Podcast Series
The GP Spotlight project was a national programme piloted by the Wessex Clinical Network to explore whether trained ‘GP Champions’ could support understanding of perinatal mental health (PMH) needs across the primary care setting by rolling out a series of local education/training sessions.
Broadly, the GP Spotlight project aims to support best care for women (and families affected by perinatal mental illness in primary care services, in line with national clinical guidance, and facilitate timely access to high quality care from specialist perinatal mental health services. This is done by:
- improving GP understanding of perinatal mental health conditions, pathways and working relationships
- improving GP referral and management of women with perinatal mental illness
- strengthening relationships between health professionals across the pathway
Whilst the original project is based on GP education and learning, these podcasts have been developed with the whole pathway in mind and aim to raise awareness of perinatal mental illness for all professions.
The podcasts aim to develop your understanding of PMH in bite-sized podcasts to cover a range of topics across perinatal mental health conditions and the pathway.
The content was written by a GP spotlight champion and a perinatal psychiatrist within the South West perinatal mental health network. In the second round of podcasts, we will hear more from VCSE groups and individuals with lived experience of perinatal mental health problems.
The podcasts have been reviewed by other perinatal professionals and checked for quality and consistency.
You can dip in and out of the content as and when you need it.
Currently, there are 11 podcasts available::
- What is PMH/PMI?
- Look behind the smile – incorporating data from the 6 week check survey regarding women’s experiences of how their mental health was explored, making the most of the 6 week check and communication tips
- Perinatal depression and anxiety
- Postpartum psychosis
- Perinatal OCD and intrusive thoughts
- Birth trauma
- Prescribing in PMI
- MDT approach – both the MDT in primary care and linking with referral pathways to secondary care / low level interventions and signposting –
- Red flags
- inequality in accessing PMH support
- COVID-19 pandemic – impact on perinatal mental health
An additional 10 sessions will be available soon.
More information
Due to the pandemic the GP Spotlight project was unable to continue in the same format and training delivery. Instead, we worked from recommendations from the South West GP Spotlight evaluation, outcomes from the national overall summary of next steps and the request from SW PMH teams requesting a continuation of the project to raise awareness of PMH and support women finding the help they need.
The podcasts eliminate the need for travel or all-day learning events for GPs and health professionals. They are approximately 10 minutes each and can be listened to at the listener’s pace. They are designed with ‘time’ in mind, arm the listener with awareness, tools, and key information so they can guide women with PMH.
We have provided a list below of additional links signposting listeners to trusted sources of helpful evidence, guidance and support for further research and reading.
- Maternal Mental Health Alliance | Awareness Education Action
- Royal College of Psychiatrists (rcpsych.ac.uk)
- Action on Postpartum Psychosis | National charity supporting women and families affected by postpartum psychosis (app-network.org)
- Perinatal mental health (rcgp.org.uk)
- Bluebell: Supporting parents’ mental health and wellbeing (bluebellcare.org)
- Acacia Family Support | Prenatal Depression and Postnatal Depression Support Services | Birmingham
- Hearts and Minds (heartsandmindspartnership.org) with map available for support across the country
- Home – Birth Trauma Association
- Home – PANDAS Foundation UK
- Welcome to Maternal OCD
Primary audience
- Allied Health Professional
- Community Child Health teams
- Art Therapists
- Dramatherapists
- Music Therapists
- Play Therapists
- Prosthetists and Orthotists
- Dietetics
- Doctors
- Physiotherapists
- Podiatrists
- Doctors
- Trainee Doctors
- General Practitioners
- Osteopaths
- Mental health professionals from community mental health teams
- Nurses
- Health Visitor
- Nursery Nurse
- Midwives
- Mental health nurse
- Clinical psychologist
- Social worker
- Specialist perinatal mental health nurse
- Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- Occupational Therapists
- Paediatrics and Child Health
- Speech and Language Therapists
- Peer support worker
- Psychologist
- Team secretary/administrator
- Perinatal psychiatrist
- Psychiatrist
- Maternity Peer Support worker
- Paediatrician
Meet the team
Dr Laurie Windsor
Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Dr Laura Davies
Portfolio GP in Exeter, GP Champion in Perinatal Mental Health for Devon
Rebekka Campbell
Programme Manager, NHSE elearning for healthcare
Jen Plested
External Project Manager, NHSE elearning for healthcare
Louise Garrahan
Senior Marketing and Communications Officer, NHSE Technology Enhanced Learning
How to access
To access this programme, you will require a Learning Hub account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below. Note that if you hold a full elfh account, you can sign into the Learning Hub using your existing login credentials.
To view the South West Perinatal and Infant mental health Network GP Spotlight Podcast Series programme, select the View button below. If you already have a Learning Hub account, you will also be able to login and access the resources within the programme .
Not an NHS organisation?
If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access to the Learning Hub, you may be able to access the service if you have an existing OpenAthens account. Please go to Learning Hub and sign in with your existing credentials.
If you do not have an existing OpenAthens account, please contact elfh directly to check whether you may be eligible for access.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the South West Perinatal and Infant mental health Network GP Spotlight Podcast Series programme, please contact elfh directly.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the Learning Hub