Use of electronic prompts covering mental health needs in perinatal women

Perinatal mental health screening prompts embedded in electronic maternity records are rarely completed in practice, and this study will measure exactly how often they are missed. The problem is that conditions like depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after birth remain underdiagnosed, particularly among women from different ethnic or socioeconomic backgrounds. Current digital screening tools exist within the BadgerNet system, but no one has systematically checked whether clinicians actually use them, or whether use drops off over time. This retrospective study will analyse real-world data from Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust to identify completion rates of the Whooley questions and follow-up modules, and explore variations by demographic and obstetric characteristics. If the findings confirm low and unequal use, they will directly inform the design of clinical decision-support tools that prompt clinicians more effectively. That could lead to more equitable identification and support for women experiencing perinatal mental health concerns, improving a quiet but critical part of maternity care infrastructure.