Although several studies have found the frequency of postnatal depression to range from 9 to 13%, optimal services for the recognition and management of this disorder are not fully established. There is a lacuna in the provision and costing of comprehensive services for women with postnatal mental illness, although it is recommended that each large district requires a consultant led team (three to five sessions per week) and a district or supra-district mother and baby unit (Oates 1988; Royal College of Psychiatrists 1992).

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