Expert Working Group (EWG) and Subcommittee Members
In the development of the 2017 National Perinatal Mental Health Guideline, three expert working groups were established to inform and guide the development of the draft National Guideline.
Expert Working Group (EWG)
Members of the Expert Working Group were nominated by their respective Colleges to represent their profession in the development of the National Guideline:
- Professor Marie-Paule Austin (Chair) – Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)
- Dr Nicole Highet (Co-Chair) – Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE)
- Ms Suzanne Higgins – Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN)
- Dr Jan Taylor – Australian College of Midwives (ACM)
- Dr Helen Lindner – Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Professor Rhonda Marriott – The Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (
CATSINaM) - Ms Creina Mitchel – Maternal Child and Family Health Nurses Australia (MCaFNA)
- Ms Jenni Richardson/Ms Terri Smith- Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA), representing consumers.
- Mr Andrew Davis – Carer representative
- Dr. James Best – Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
- Dr Vijay Roach – The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG)
We would also like to acknowledge the contribution to the proxy representatives in the development of the National Guideline:
- Dr Anne Sved Williams (proxy for Professor Marie-Paule Austin)
- Ms Julie Ferguson (proxy for Ms Suzanne Higgins)
- Dr Louise Roufiele (proxy for Dr Helen Lindner)
- Dr Agnes Wilson (proxy for Dr Vijay Roach)
- Dr Catherine Chamberline (proxy for Professor Rhonda Marriott)
In addition to the EWG, two Expert Committees were also established to provide specialist expertise.
Expert Subcommittees
Safety and Harms Expert Subcommittee
The Safety and Harms Subcommittee provided expertise surrounding the safe use of medication in pregnancy and the postnatal period:
- Professor Marie-Paule Austin (Chair) – Perinatal Psychiatrist
- Professor Phillip Boyce – Perinatal Psychiatrist
- Professor Megan Gallbally – Perinatal Psychiatrist
- Dr Debra Kennedy – Director of MotherSafe
- Dr Tram Nguyen – Perinatal Psychiatrist
- Dr Anne Sved Williams – Perinatal Psychiatrist
Low Prevalence Disorders (LPD) Expert Subcommittee
The Low Prevalence Disorders Expert Subcommittee provided expertise surrounding the management of low prevalence disorders in the perinatal period:
- Professor Marie-Paule Austin (Chair) – Perinatal Psychiatrist
- Professor Phillip Boyce – Perinatal Psychiatrist
- Professor Anne Buist – Perinatal Psychiatrist
- Dr Sylvia Lim-Gibson – Perinatal Psychiatrist
- Dr Tram Nguyen – Perinatal Psychiatrist
- Professor Louise Newman – Perinatal Psychiatrist
- Dr Anne Sved Williams – Perinatal Psychiatrist