Dr Sarah Taha

Background

Dr Sarah Taha is a consultant perinatal psychiatrist and the clinical lead for an NHS Tri-borough perinatal mental health service in West London. She graduated from Imperial College and is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. With over 15 years of experience in perinatal psychiatry, she is passionate about providing compassionate and comprehensive care for women navigating mental health challenges during pregnancy and the postnatal period.

She specialises in offering expert assessment and treatment for women aged 18 and over, covering a wide range of conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and more. Dr Taha also addresses mental health issues related to pregnancy complications, loss, and infertility.

Education and training are close to her heart. She has authored numerous reports and guidelines and has delivered training sessions locally, regionally, and nationally. As the Vice Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Perinatal Faculty, she is dedicated to ensuring that every woman has access to high-quality specialist care. She enjoys promoting maternal mental health through various channels, including videos, social media, and traditional medical channels such as the BBC and ITV.

People often describe her as approachable, supportive, and calm, and she strives to bring these qualities to all her interactions with patients and colleagues alike. Her goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of women and their families through dedicated, patient-centred care.

Expertise

Depression - including current or previous antenatal depression and postnatal depression, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Affective Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Other psychotic illness, Personality Disorder, Mental health problems associated with pregnancy related complications, pregnancy loss and infertility.

Research & publications

2017 Pan-London Perinatal Mental Health: Guidance for New-born Assessment  reviewer & contributor. Guidance for health care professionals involved in the care of babies born to women who have taken medication for mental illness during pregnancy (in particular neonatologists, paediatricians & midwives). Optimising & standardising care & reducing risk.

2018 'Fear of Childbirth Best Practice Toolkit' - reviewer & contributor. Describes assessment & intervention, with an emphasis on early identification.

2018 'Pre-birth planning: Best Practice Toolkit for Perinatal Mental Health Services' - reviewer & contributor - Guidance for health care professionals involved in planning the care of women at high risk of severe postnatal illness.

2018 ‘Pre-conception advice: Best Practice Toolkit’ – reviewer & contributor. Provides practitioners with information & resources to help answer the many questions that women & their partners have in relation to planning a pregnancy.

2019 Implementing Routine Outcome Monitoring In Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services – part of the Expert Reference Group, commissioned by NHSE. Practical guide to embedding the use of OMs, enabling services to demonstrate effectiveness & quality.

2019 Perinatal Mental Health in IAPT Services: Improving Screening, Data Capturing and
Pathways chair of the working group & co-author. Reduced variability in data capture, enabling early identification/intervention.

2021 RCPsych CR232 - Perinatal Mental Health Services: Recommendations for the provision of services for childbearing women - co-chair of the working group, co-author & senior editor.