Case Study: Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust improves equitable access to perinatal mental health services with Ordnance Survey mapping data

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - Customer Case Study

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust needed to evaluate how well its perinatal mental health service was meeting local need and to identify barriers to access. The Trust worked with Ordnance Survey (OS), using OS mapping and datasets (Boundary-Line™, Strategi®, OS VectorMap® Local, 1:250 000 raster, MSOA/LSOA boundaries and Experian Mosaic) to analyse anonymised referral data by postcode, age and ethnicity.

OS combined statistical and geospatial analysis of 17 months of referrals with population and birth estimates to map where need was met or unmet. The work revealed a south‑city referral bias and under‑representation of Asian and Black women, informed targeted changes to community services, and led to an increased number of women from BME communities being seen — an approach OS supported that Monitor recognised as best practice.

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Giles Berrisford

Consultant Psychiatrist