Assessment
When a referral is accepted for allocation to the PNIMHT, an assessment appointment with the patient will be arranged by telephone if possible, which will be followed up with a confirmation letter. An attempt will be made to match the most appropriate representative of the PNIMHT to each patient, taking into account the particulars of the clinical situation being presented.
Patients will be offered an assessment on a face-to-face basis (usually in a clinic setting), via Near Me, or by telephone. This decision will be made on the basis of clinical need, the practical arrangements required to travel, access to technology and privacy, and patient choice. At the patient’s discretion, other people (e.g. family members, friends, other staff members and/or an advocate) can be involved in an assessment session, and patients are advised in writing that this is the case. At the end of an assessment session, a decision will be made jointly between the PNIMHT representative and the patient about what further intervention (or signposting) may be required. Following assessment, the clinician will prepare a summary of the assessment for distribution to the referrer, GP (if not the referrer), and the patient.
Treatment
Following assessment, if there is indication for a formal intervention that can be delivered by PNIMHT, we would aim to start this within six weeks of receiving the referral. PNIMHT members are trained in a range of therapeutic interventions including:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
- Video Interaction Guidance (VIG)
- Circle of Security Parenting (CoSP)
Where there is indication for an intervention which cannot be delivered within PNIMHT, we would direct the patient to an alternative service, and/or make an onward referral.
Perinatal advice meeting / Professional reflection (PAMPR) sessions:
Anyone working in a professional capacity with a woman in the perinatal period (or up to the infant’s third birthday where there are concerns about parent-infant relationship and/or infant mental health) can book a half-hour Perinatal Advice Meeting / Professional Reflection (PAMPR) session. This can be booked by using the following link, which is also included in PNIMHT email signatures, and in the quarterly PNIMHT newsletter: /calendar/PAMPR/bookings/
Or by using the following QR code:
![](/media/pngnv4vn/image.png?rmode=max&width=188&height=188)
Staff members who book a PAMPR session will be asked to complete a Pre-PAMPR Information Form and email it to nhsh.nhighlandpnimht@nhs.scot
Pre-PAMPR form: (link to be added)
During the course of the PAMPR session, the staff member will be encouraged to reflect on the problem under discussion, and some recommended steps will be agreed. A Post-PAMPR Session Record will be produced, for distribution to the staff member who booked the session. With their agreement, this will be made available via SCI Store and Care Portal, and the recommendations sent to the patient.
Other Formal Multidisciplinary Liaison
PNIMHT members will play an active role in Care Programme Approach, where patients on their caseload are subject to these procedures.
PNIMHT members will endeavour to attend ward rounds (in person, or remotely) where patients on their caseloads are admitted to a psychiatric inpatient setting e.g. New Craigs Hospital or the Mother and Baby Unit (St John’s Hospital, Livingston). They would also expect to be actively involved in discharge planning and transfer back to the community setting as appropriate. In these circumstances, PNIMHT staff would aim to have contact with the patient within three working days of discharge to the community.