Childbirth and Mental Illness Service (CAMI CLINIC)

Role of Service

The Childbirth and Mental Illness service (CAMI Clinic) at WNHS provides preconception counselling and antenatal care for women with severe mental illness. This service accepts referrals from all regions across Western Australia. A referral early in the pregnancy is preferred.

Telehealth perinatal psychiatry including pre-conception planning for mental health is available (secondary consultation).

Clinical Inclusion

Patient who:

• is pregnant and requiring antenatal care AND
• has history of, or current severe mental health illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, previous post partum psychosis and significant psychiatric illness)

Clinical Exclusion

Patients who do not meet the above criteria – please discuss with WNHS at KEMH Department of Psychological Medicine if unsure about referral

Frequency of Clinic

• Opening hours – clinic runs on Tuesday 8am to 1pm.
• Wait times – no waiting times.

Required referral information

• Detailed psychiatric history, medications, treatment, history of hospitalisation, care plan.
• Indicate CAMI clinic on Antenatal Referral Form

Please ensure referral is sent as early in the pregnancy as possible, ideally before 12 weeks’ gestation

Urgent Referral

Ring WNHS at KEMH Department of Psychological Medicine on (08) 6458 1521 to discuss urgent referral.

Or

Ring WNHS at KEMH Switchboard (08) 6458 2222 and ask for on call Psychological Medicine Consultant.

Referral Process

Complete KEMH Antenatal Referral Form (PDF)

Indicate CAMI clinic and include required referral information

Send referral direct to WNHS Referral Co-ordinator via:

Email: KEMH.referrals@health.wa.gov.au
In Subject line write "CAMI antenatal referral, Patient surname”
Fax: (08) 64581031
Healthlink: not yet available

Useful links

Psychological Medicine referrals

Perinatal Mental Health Services for Women with Severe Mental Illness (PDF)