Comparison of public mother-baby psychiatric units in Australia: similarities, strengths and recommendations

M Galbally; A Sved-Williams; D Kristianopulos; K Mercuri; P Brown; A Buist

doi:10.1177/1039856218810165

Comparison of public mother-baby psychiatric units in Australia: similarities, strengths and recommendations

Australas Psychiatry. 2019 Apr;27(2):112-116. doi: 10.1177/1039856218810165. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Authors

M Galbally¹, A Sved-Williams², D Kristianopulos³, K Mercuri⁴, P Brown⁵, A Buist⁶

Affiliations

¹ Professor Perinatal Psychiatry, School of Psychology & Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, and; Professor Perinatal Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, WA, and; Medical Co-Director, Women's Health, Genetics and Mental Health, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, WA, Australia.
² A Medical Unit Head, Helen Mayo House, Perinatal Mental Health Services, Women's and Children's Health Network, South Australia & Department of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide, SA, Australia.
³ Manager Raphael Services Western Australia, Raphael Services, St John of God, Wembley, WA, Australia.
⁴ Consultant Psychiatrist, Mother Baby Unit Werribee, Mercy Mental Health Melbourne & Consultant Psychiatrist, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
⁵ Director Mother Baby Unit, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, WA, Australia.
⁶ Professor of Women's Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

PMID: 30407072
DOI: 10.1177/1039856218810165

Abstract

Background: Mother-baby units are innovative and important models of care that allow inpatient treatment of postpartum maternal mental disorders whilst preserving and promoting the attachment relationship with their young infants.

Objectives: To report data across five public mother-baby units in Australia in order to explore similarities and distinguishing features of each model.

Method: Each unit also provided 12 months of data on key characteristics of their unit.

Results: Despite the geographic differences, the diagnostic profiling, length of stay, and child protection involvement were similar across the units.

Conclusions: Acute care for perinatal mental illness offered in public mother-baby units in Australia shows consistency across units, raising concerns for where such treatment is unavailable.

Keywords: mother–baby units; perinatal mental health; postpartum depression.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Australia
Female
Hospitalization
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Mental Disorders / psychology
Mental Disorders / therapy*
Mental Health Services / organization & administration*
Mental Health Services / standards
Mother-Child Relations*
Mothers / psychology*
Perinatal Care / methods
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Psychiatric Department, Hospital / organization & administration*
Psychiatric Department, Hospital / standards
Puerperal Disorders / psychology
Puerperal Disorders / therapy*
Young Adult