About the PQN network

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 and 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 Trust

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

• Catherine Furlonge
  Nursery Nurse, East London NHS Trust

• Deborah Page
  Clinical Team Manager, Leeds Partnership NHS Trust

• Deborah Sells
  Ward Manager, Nottingham Healthcare NHS Trust

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

• Jagoda Banovic
  Team Manager, Dorset Healthcare University NHS Trust

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

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

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

• Philippa Oddi
  Deputy Ward Manager, Nottingham Healthcare NHS Trust

• Samantha Percival
  Nursery Nurse, Nottingham Healthcare NHS Trust

• Sarah Taha
  Faculty Representative
  Consultant Psychiatrist, West London NHS Trust

• Shelley Chatten
  Service Manager, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS 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, Nottingham Healthcare NHS Trust

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

• Bronwen Ashton
  Patient Representative, PQN

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

• Deborah Page
  Clinical Team Manager, Leeds Partnership NHS Trust

• Georgina Hadfield
  Interim Senior Nurse, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Trust

• Jenny Shaieb
  Occupational Therapist, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust

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

• Nazish Hashmi
  Consultant Psychiatrist, Leeds and York Partnership Trust

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

• Samantha Percival
  Nursery Nurse, Nottingham Healthcare NHS Trust

• Samantha Neale
  Ward Manager, Southern Health NHS Trust

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

• Tara Mitchell
  Social Worker, Leeds and York NHS Trust

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

• Leyla Ury
  Programme Manager
• Nicole McCarthy
  Deputy Programme Manager
• Lara Lucic
  Project Officer
• Naomi Cross-Stuart
  Project Officer
• Indira Randhawa-Hiscock
  Project Officer