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    About the PQN network

    All mother and baby units, and a growing number of community perinatal teams are in the network.

    We work with network members to share best practice at a national level. We use a review and accreditation process to promote the highest level of care.

    Stage 1: You complete a self-review

    The first stage of the process is when you, the service, complete a self-review and send this information to us.

    The self-review is done using an online system which guides you through the process step by step.

    If you have applied for accreditation, you will be given additional questionnaires for patients, carers, staff and others to complete. You will have two months to complete your self-review.

    Stage 2: The review team visit your service

    After you submit your self-review, a review team will visit your service.

    The review team typically consists of members of the CCQI, a patient representative, and health and social care professionals from other perinatal mental health services.

    The health and social care professionals usually include three of the following:

    • a psychiatrist
    • a psychologist
    • an occupational therapist
    • a social worker
    • a mental health nurse
    • other mental health professionals.

    On a review day, the review team will discuss any challenges that you identified during your self-review and offer advice where possible.

    They’ll also interview patients, family/partners, and other agencies that you work with to get an overall view of the care provided.

    The day is an excellent opportunity for you to reflect on your current practice and ask for guidance from the review team.

    Not only does the host team benefit from the day, but the review team can take learning back to their services, which facilitates quality improvement for everyone involved.

    Stage 3: After review day

    After the review day, you will be sent an individual report which combines your self-review with the findings from the day, including the strengths and advice on any challenges.

    If your service has applied for accreditation, we’ll present the evidence to the PQN Accreditation Committee who will decide whether your service will be accredited.

    Benefits of being a member include:

    • Sharing great practice with the review team and getting advice on any challenges you’re facing
    • A report focused on your service
    • Being part of the PQN discussion group: post queries and offer advice to staff at other services
    • Attending Special Interest Days
    • Reduced rates to attend the PQN Annual Forum, where we present the latest nationwide results and a programme of interesting speakers
    • A certificate of participation which can be displayed on your unit
    • Access to the POEM (patient-rated outcome and experience measure)

    Membership cost for 2026 is £3,585 + VAT per year. If you sign up for three years, you will be eligible for a 5% discount.

    The PQN process is managed and governed by College staff and committees. More detail about each group can be found below.

    Advisory Group

    The Advisory Group comprises professionals who represent key interests and areas of expertise in the field of perinatal mental health services alongside patient/carer representatives who have experience of using these services. The purpose of the group is to advise and further the work of PQN. The membership of the advisory group will aim to reflect the range of disciplines working in perinatal mental health services.

    • Sarah Abdelsayed
      Advisory Group Chair
      Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

    • Carla Mobear
      Perinatal Operational Manager, Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation NHS Trust

    • Catherine Furlonge
      Nursery Nurse, East London NHS Foundation Trust

    • Deborah Page
      Clinical Team Manager, Leeds Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

    • Deborah Sells
      Ward Manager, Nottingham Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

    • Emily Thomas
      Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

    • Jagoda Banovic
      Team Manager, Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust

    • Janice Rigby
      Clinical Psychologist, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

    • Michelle Parker
      Senior Perinatal Community Mental Health Nursery Nurse, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

    • Phil Arthington
      PMHS Psychological Therapies Lead / Principal Clinical Psychologist and Systemic Family Therapist, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

    • Philippa Oddi
      Deputy Ward Manager, Nottingham Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

    • Samantha Percival
      Nursery Nurse, Nottingham Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

    • Rebecca Harding
      Perinatal Faculty Representative
      Consultant Psychiatrist, Navigo Health and Social Care

    • Shelley Chatten
      Service Manager, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

    • Susan McConachie
      Regional Perinatal Consultant Nurse, NHS Lothian

    • Suzanne Dickson
      Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care

    • Verity Westgate
      Patient Representative, PQN

    • Victoria Dyson-Lynne
      Perinatal and Maternal Mental Health Service Manager, Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

    Accreditation Committee

    The Accreditation Committee recommends accreditation status based on the evidence gathered during the self and peer review period. In particular, it looks closely at any instances of non-compliance with Type 1 Standards. The committee consists of members from across the disciplines who are experts in the field of perinatal mental health services, alongside patient/carer representatives.

    • Deborah Sells
      Accreditation Committee Chair
      Ward Manager, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
    • Tara Mitchell
      Accreditation Committee Deputy ChairSocial Worker, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

    • Ashleigh Macaulay
      Perinatal Consultant Psychiatrist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

    • Bronwen Ashton
      Patient Representative, PQN

    • Adele Birch
      Quality Matron, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

    • Georgina Hadfield
      Interim Senior Nurse, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

    • Lauren Morton
      Team Leader, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

    • Nazish Hashmi
      Consultant Psychiatrist, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

    • Robyn Catlow
      Ward Manager, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

    • Samantha Percival
      Nursery Nurse, Nottingham Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

    • Samantha Neale
      Ward Manager, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust

    • Sarah Hull
      Operational Lead for Perinatal Services, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

    If you have any questions about PQN please contact the Project Team at perinatal-chat@rcpsych.ac.uk or on 0208 618 4273.

    • Leyla Ury
      Programme Manager
    • Nicole McCarthy
      Deputy Programme Manager
    • Naomi Cross-Stuart
      Project Officer
    • Indira Randhawa-Hiscock
      Project Officer
    • Florence Sandbloom
      Project Officer
    Read more to receive further information regarding a career in psychiatry