As we celebrate Mental Health Nurses Day, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) is spotlighting Perinatal Mental Health Practitioner, Sam Armstrong.
Sam began his journey with the NHS in 1999 as a support worker, completed his nurse training in 2005 and began his career as a mental health nurse in Walton Prison. Since then, he has worked across a variety of services, including long-term condition management, drug and alcohol support, and primary care mental health. Three years ago, he joined the Perinatal Mental Health Team, where he has been making a lasting impact.
Reflecting on his role, Sam said:
“My current role has grown at an incredible rate. I’ve never been in a team or service that has expanded so quickly. My special interest is dealing with severe post-natal mental illness, such as postpartum psychosis and mania. Seeing the subsequent recovery is so rewarding for the patients and their family.”
Sam also shared memorable experiences:
“I recently received a lovely picture of a newborn baby from a service user who was really quite poorly when I first met her and is now managing well with her baby. I also received a touching message from a family thanking me for the responsiveness of the service and the support I provided to them.”
As a male mental health nurse, Sam acknowledges that entering perinatal services was a new challenge, but he strongly encourages others to consider the field:
“For a few months, I did feel out of my comfort zone, but working in mental health is all about constant learning and reflecting. The team is diverse, friendly, and made up of professionals with different expertise, such as consultants, health visitors, systemic family practitioners, and psychologists. Everyone is always happy to offer support, which is a great help.”
Perinatal mental health issues, which arise during pregnancy or within the first year postpartum, affect up to 27% of new and expectant mothers in the UK (NHS England). If left untreated, these conditions can have significant and lasting impacts on mothers, their children, and their families.
CWP is currently recruiting for a range of roles at Seren Lodge, the Trust’s new Perinatal Mother and Baby Unit. Opening in late 2025, Seren Lodge will be the first local specialist inpatient unit of its kind serving Cheshire, Merseyside, and North Wales.
Recruitment is now open for a range of roles including Mental Health Nurse, Nursery Nurse, Specialist Occupational Therapist and Clinical Lead.
To find out more and apply, visit: Latest vacancies :: Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
