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Abstract

Background

A published audit demonstrated that a pilot psychiatric clinic failed to capture predicted numbers of women with severe and enduring mental illness.

Methods

On the basis of recommendations from this audit, along with those from the Royal College of Psychiatrists and NICE guidelines, a more comprehensive psychiatric service was developed to meet this demand and therefore manage risk more effectively.

Results

Over the course of a year, the new service attracted a higher rate of referrals of pregnant women with severe and enduring mental illness. The majority referral source continued to be midwifery-led.

Conclusions

Audit is a useful tool for evaluating and informing service development and helped us identify further improvements needed to deliver an effective mental health service.

Keywords

High-risk pregnancy mental illness audit service development

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