Karen Howell visits Mother and Baby Unit at Laureate House
Our Chief Executive, Karen Howell, continues to visit services across the Trust, giving her the opportunity to meet staff and learn about each area in more detail.
On Tuesday 20 August, Karen visited Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust's (GMMH) Andersen Ward based at Laureate House, in the grounds of Wythenshawe Hospital.
Andersen Ward is a Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) which covers the entire Northwest. The unit's core purpose is to provide a consistently high level of quality specialist mental health care to both women, who are pregnant, and mothers following childbirth.
Mothers, who are admitted to the ward, may be experiencing maternal mental health difficulties such as post-natal depression or post-partum psychosis or an exacerbation of existing mental health difficulties such as schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder.
Service manager, Carla Mobear, greeted Karen at the building and gave an overview of the service, along with useful insights as well as current challenges faced.
Elizabeth Phillipson, Perinatal Ward Manager, and Carla took Karen on guided tour of Andersen Ward. The atmosphere was light and homely, Mums were enjoying a pamper morning led by staff, including face masks and croissants.
The MBU offers a weekly schedule of activities for Mum and baby including Baby Massage, Sensory Play, Swimming Group, Baby Yoga, Arts & Crafts, Messy Play, and Developmental Groups e.g. Weaning. There is also an array of activities on offer to support Mum’s mental and physical health and wellbeing, in a holistic way.
Karen was shown around the ward and facilities, including the nursery, kitchen, the dedicated art and crafts room, a sensory room, and individual bedrooms.
“The three primary aims for women staying at the Unit are for Mums to be bonded with their babies, to support Mums to function well and to ensure that Mum’s feels well enough to cope at home,” said Carla.
“The average length of stay at the unit is between six - eight weeks. Staff work closely with our Community Perinatal Team to ensure that as many Mums can receive adequate support in a community setting as possible, and that Mums are supported once they are discharged back to their homes.”
The Unit provides comprehensive advice, medical and psychological assessment, and treatment for women with previous or current mental health problems, who have recently given birth, are pregnant or who wish to become pregnant. It also offers support and supervision, which is tailored to Mum’s needs to promote and ensure the infants safety.
Carla and Elizabeth explained how risk and assessment for women, who are admitted to the unit, are complex. In addition to Mum’s current mental health challenges; additional factors are considered such as support systems and whether families are understanding of mental health challenges, a lack of this support can result in Mums feeling isolated.
The involvement of partners, family members and friends are encouraged, and the unit offers support and education for all who visit.
There are plans to improve the layout and facilities at the unit and Karen was able to offer advice in managing this process.
Karen said of her visit,
“It was delightful – the work that the Mother and Baby Unit are doing with mothers and babies, supporting self-care, and everybody there, has created a very therapeutic environment.
They have exciting aspirations for the future, show a level of professionalism that sets the standard, and it’s good to know we are working across the North West in a positive way.”
The Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) is run by professionals who have longstanding experience in perinatal psychiatry and work as a cohesive and highly motivated team. The team includes a Consultant Psychiatrist, In-patient Mental Health Nurses, Nursery Nurses, an Occupational Therapist, and a Clinical Psychologist and has access to Physiotherapists.
Andersen Ward provides facilities for up to ten mothers and babies including:
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Single bedrooms with separate shower rooms.
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Two nurseries
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A dining area
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A fully equipped milk kitchen
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A fenced garden, patio, and outside play area
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A ladies only lounge
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A self-contained flat
To find out more about Andersen Ward Mother and Baby Unit, please visit: Andersen Ward | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT (gmmh.nhs.uk)
