LPFT Perinatal Team achieves national quality accreditation
The Specialist Perinatal Team at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) has been awarded national accreditation by the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Perinatal Quality Network (PQN), recognising the high-quality care and support it provides to mothers and families across Lincolnshire.
Around one in 10 women experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or within the first year after giving birth. Perinatal mental health difficulties can affect anyone, regardless of background or circumstances.
LPFT's Perinatal Team provides expert assessment, treatment and support, working closely with mothers, families and wider healthcare professionals to ensure women receive the care they need at what can be a particularly vulnerable time in their lives.
The team's achievement has been recognised through accreditation from the Perinatal Quality Network (PQN), part of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, until November 2028. The network supports Mother and Baby Units and Community Perinatal Mental Health Services across the UK to measure performance and continuously improve standards of care.
Accreditation is only awarded to services that can demonstrate they meet rigorous national quality standards, providing independent assurance that patients are receiving safe, effective and compassionate care.
It also provides independent assurance that mothers, babies and their families are receiving safe, effective and high-quality care. A key element of the process is the involvement of people with lived experience, whose insights help ensure services remain responsive to the needs of those they support.
Clinical Manager, Wendy Summerton and Team Coordinator, Alison Bartle, at LPFT said:
Achieving accreditation from the Perinatal Quality Network is a significant milestone for our team and reflects the dedication, professionalism and compassion shown by staff every day.
We are proud to provide specialist support to women and families across Lincolnshire and remain committed to continuously improving the care we deliver.
This national recognition reinforces LPFT's commitment to ensuring women experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy and early motherhood have access to safe, responsive and high-quality specialist support when they need it most.