Health visitor identification of postnatal depression.

Evaluation of a health visitor project in Sevenoaks demonstrated both the value of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) in the identification of postnatal depression, and the positive benefit of health visitor intervention in its early stages. But, as Angela Painter reports, the project also underlined the need for a ten-week home visit and the obstacles presented by large caseloads, poor liaison with other services and purchaser reluctance.