About the MNPI Team
The Maternity and Neonatal Psychological Interventions (MNPI) Team are a small, hospital-based service. We offer assessments and interventions to families who are experiencing psychological difficulties in relation to complex pregnancy and/or birth.
While pregnancy and birth can be a time of great joy, it can also be a time of significant stress and emotional adjustment. A number of factors may impact on a parent’s emotional well-being over the course of their pregnancy and postnatal journey. These may include:
- Medical complications related to the current pregnancy and/or birth
- Previous difficulties or complications related to pregnancy, birth and neonatal care that impact on maternity care during the next pregnancy
- Phobias, such as needle or birth phobia (tokophobia)
- Traumatic birth
- Baby being admitted to Special Care or Neonatal Intensive Care
We are able to see people in pregnancy and/or up to 12 months after birth on an inpatient and/or outpatient basis. The MNPI team works Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm. We liaise closely with the maternity and neonatal teams as needed.
Our Team
Where we are based
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) / Royal Hospital for Children (RHC)
Level 2 Neonatal Unit, RHC
1345 Govan Road
G51 4TF
Telephone: 0141 232 4333
Princess Royal Maternity Hospital (PRM)
Level 4 Neonatal Unit
16 Alexandra Parade
G31 2ER
Telephone: 0141 451 6513
Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH)
G/009 Ground Floor Maternity Building
Corsebar Road
Paisley
PA2 9PN
Telephone: 0141 232 4333
Who can refer to the MNPI Service?
There are a variety of different health professionals who can refer you to the MNPI service if appropriate. For example:
- Hospital doctor
- Midwife
- Neonatal Staff
- GP
- Health Visitor
- Family Nurse
- Other mental health services
The MNPI Service is not a crisis or emergency service. If you’re concerned about your physical or mental health, please speak to your Midwife, Health Visitor, GP, or contact NHS24 on 111.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this something I have to do?
Absolutely not. It’s completely your choice if you would like to be referred to the MNPI Service.
What will happen when I’m referred?
We discuss all referrals at our weekly referrals meeting to help us decide if we’re the right service to support you. Sometimes we’ll also speak with your referrer or other relevant services to work out how best to support you.
If MNPI is the most appropriate service for you, then we’ll send you a letter asking you to make contact with us if you would like to arrange an appointment. Once you’ve contacted us, we’ll send you an appointment letter and a short questionnaire. Please bring the completed questionnaire with you to your first appointment.
If MNPI is not the most appropriate service for you, then we’ll send you a letter signposting you to the most appropriate services/supports. We’ll also send a letter to your referrer and any other relevant services (usually your GP and maternity team) so that everyone is aware of what we’ve advised.
What will happen at my first appointment?
The first appointment will take around 45 minutes. The clinician will ask you about what you’re finding difficult and some background information. Then they will make a plan with you about what will be helpful going forwards. As a hospital-based service, we can support you in different ways depending on your needs and maternity/neonatal experiences. For instance, we can provide psychological therapy for difficulties related to complex pregnancy and/or birth, specialist support around birth planning and/or being in a hospital setting, and liaison with maternity and neonatal staff to best support your care. We may also discuss other NHS or Third Sector support services with you.
Who will I see?
We’re a multidisciplinary team of Clinical Psychologists and Specialist Midwives. The MNPI team are specially trained to help you manage the wide range of emotions you may be experiencing relating to your maternity and/or neonatal care. You’ll receive input from the clinician(s) most suited to your needs. You’ll see the same clinician for each appointment whenever possible for continuity of care.
Where will my appointments be?
You have a choice in the type of appointment you have. We offer outpatient appointments in clinic rooms at the three maternity hospitals. We also offer video or telephone appointments. Your appointment letter will provide instructions on how to attend your appointment.
For parents/carers of babies in the Neonatal Unit we offer appointments in the Neonatal Units themselves. We’re also able to offer inpatient maternity appointments.
We ask that you give us as much notice as possible if you need to rearrange or cancel your appointment. This allows us to make best use of our clinical time. To cancel or rearrange your appointment please call us.
Please let us know if you need an interpreter or require any specific support to attend your appointment.
Can I bring someone with me to the appointment?
Yes. You can be seen individually or with your partner or other family members, depending on what you prefer.
Confidentiality and consent
Everything that you talk about in your appointment is confidential within health.
Clinical notes will be stored securely on an electronic record. These records should only be accessed by people who are directly involved in your care and have a clinical reason to look at them. Once you’ve been seen, we’ll usually write back to the person who referred you as well as your GP and maternity team.
Occasionally there may be serious concerns for your safety or for the safety of others. In these circumstances we have a duty of care to discuss relevant information with other agencies, who can offer help, support and protection. We would always try to let you know if we needed to do this.
Complaints, compliments & feedback
Your experience of the MNPI service is very important to us. We really want to hear when we’re providing a helpful service and also when we need to improve things. If you would like to contact us regarding Compliments, Complaints or Feedback, then please contact us on 0141 232 4333.
You can also tell us about your experience of the service through:
- Completing the feedback questionnaire routinely provided at final appointments
- Leaving feedback via https://www.careopinion.org.uk/tellyourstory