THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE WILL VISIT KING’S COLLEGE LONDON AND THE SOUTH LONDON AND MAUDSLEY NHS TRUST
London
Wednesday, 24th January 2018
The Duchess of Cambridge will visit The Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, and the Perinatal Service at Bethlem Royal Hospital, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust on Wednesday 24 January.
The Duchess is keen to continue developing an understanding of the challenges and issues surrounding maternal mental health, to learn what support is available, and to hear at first-
hand about the science underpinning our understanding of the biological influences on maternal mental health. At least 20 percent of women are affected by mental health
problems during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child. If left
untreated, it can have significant and long-lasting effects on the woman and her family.
The Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute is one of Europe’s largest centres for
interdisciplinary neuroscience excellence. The Institute brings together 250 clinicians and
scientists from many disciplines to develop new therapies for neurological and psychiatric
disorders through innovative research. It is part of the IoPPN at King’s, which is world
renowned for its academic and clinical research and education in mental health and
neuroscience.
Her Royal Highness will visit the Institute’s laboratory to receive a briefing on its work in
perinatal research before meeting with senior academics conducting research in perinatal
psychiatry.
The Duchess will then visit the Mother and Baby Unit at the Bethlem Royal Hospital, part of
South London Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. The unit specialises in the treatment of antenatal and postnatal mental health illnesses including postnatal depression and post-
partum psychosis. The integrated inpatient clinical service allows mothers who face mental health challenges to be admitted with their babies, to minimise the disruption of mother-
infant relationship. The holistic treatment programme offered supports the mother in developing a relationship with her infant in order to reduce the impact of the mother’s
illness on the child. All patients are supported by psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health
nurses, nursery nurses, midwives and other professionals.
Her Royal Highness will have the chance to visit the Unit’s nursery area and meet with
several patients who are currently undergoing treatment. The Duchess will also visit the
Video Therapy room where she will be shown videos of mother-baby interaction used as
therapeutic tool in the Unit. Before departure, The Duchess will meet professionals involved
in perinatal mental health care, including community nurses, midwives and health visitors.
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