Mental health services for expectant and new parents joined forces in Norfolk in an effort to improve outcomes for families.

They took part in an event, organised by the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), which convened NHS mental health teams and partner organisations.

NSFT's inpatient unit, the Mother and Baby Unit, community mental health teams, and specialist trauma-focused Lotus Team were among those involved.

Services supporting the mental health of expectant and new parents gathered to share Services supporting the mental health of expectant and new parents gathered to share (Image: Submitted)

Talent Bailey, NSFT perinatal service manager, said: “The past seven years have been a period of rapid development for our perinatal services in Norfolk.

"We want to make sure we get the best outcomes for these service users.”

Representatives from the wider system were at the event including Integrated Care Board colleagues, midwifery teams, health visitors, the early years child and family service Representatives from the wider system were at the event including Integrated Care Board colleagues, midwifery teams, health visitors, the early years child and family service (Image: Submitted)

NSFT chief nurse Anthony Deery said: “It’s great that we are forging partnerships with other organisations to promote safer, kinder and better working practices, and making sure we work as a system for the benefit of our service users and families.”

Melanie White, NSFT consultant perinatal psychologist, added: "By networking and sharing knowledge and experience across the system of support services we can work together to provide safer, kinder and better care to babies, infants and families that need it.”