Catriona Jones, who has worked alongside Professor Julie Jomeen for 10 years on perinatal mental health research and the development of advanced healthcare for women, said:
“Good perinatal mental health services are vital. We need clear strategies in place for screening and identification, prediction, referral, and follow-up.
“The work we have undertaken over the last 10 years has highlighted the importance of training health professionals in screening/detection, identification and prediction of perinatal mental health problems in women, so they know what to do when a woman’s emotional wellbeing or mental health status causes concern.
“We are looking forward to sharing our research with a wider audience – including clinicians and other healthcare professionals – during this new series of OpenCampus talks.”
Professor Julie Jomeen, who was inspired to drive improvements for better healthcare for expecting mums after spending her early career as a midwife, said:
“We have recently been joined here at the University by Professor Colin Martin, as our Professor of Perinatal Mental Health, who I have worked with in this field for over 20 years. This is enabling us to further expand our work in this area and our teatime talks provide the opportunity for us to share our research journey to date.
“Early detection and treatment are vital across the perinatal period to ensure optimum maternal, neonatal and mental health outcomes for patients and their families.
“By providing high quality care for all women, we can diminish the chances of women developing tokophobia after their first birth.”
The University of Hull is committed to driving improvements to healthcare in our region and beyond. Our academic staff welcome the opportunity to demonstrate the impact they are having by helping to develop better maternal healthcare services for women.
This series of talks is open to everyone. OpenCampus health events frequently attract a diverse audience of clinicians, students, academics, and family members who have a particular interest whether they are carers, parents, patients or simply keen to find out more. The academic staff and postgraduates share their research and insights on a subject and this is often followed by very lively discussion.
A framework for maternal wellbeing will be the focus of the first talk in the series which starts at the University on Wednesday 23 January. Dr Franziska Wadephul, Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Dr Lesley Glover, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences, and Nicola Hanefeld, Alexander Technique Teacher and PhD student, will present the framework, give insights into how women can enhance their own well-being and how they can be supported by others, including health professionals. This talk will cover a number of examples, including the experience of post-natal back pain.
Dr Wadephul said: “Wellbeing is generally taken to include more than just physical health, but it is difficult to define precisely what it is. We will be taking a look at the different aspects of wellbeing – physical, cognitive and emotional – to help people gain a greater understanding of how advances to healthcare can be made.”
The OpenCampus programme is an informal and friendly way for visitors to learn at the University. The programme includes a termly programme of culture café sessions, a series of tea-time talks and the OpenCampus reading group.
Jackie McAndrew, Public Engagement and Postgraduate Researcher Experience Specialist, said: “The subjects covered in the programme are wide ranging, contemporary, historical, sometimes controversial, often challenging but always interesting and thought provoking. I have no doubt that this series on maternal health will be extremely stimulating.
“Everyone is welcome – whether you are a clinician, student, academic, parent or whether you simply have a general interest in the subject. We look forward to hearing everyone’s views – particularly at the panel discussion on the fear of childbirth.
“The University has a very strong research history in maternal mental health and I am delighted that this series gives our talented members of staff the opportunity to share their work with a wider audience in a relaxed and informal setting.”
Admission is free for all talks, listed below, but booking is required. Book online here.