Praise for St John’s Mother and Baby unit
Staff at the Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) at St John’s Hospital have received recognition for their outstanding hard work in caring for new mums experiencing mental health problems.
Staff are delighted the unit has gained accreditation from the Royal College of Psychiatry (RCP) perinatal quality network.
Over 300 standards, set out by RCP, were met by the team which assures patients of the excellent service being provided to mothers and babies in their care.
The MBU cares for new mums who are experiencing perinatal mental health problems.
The service enables new mums to receive the care and treatment they require for their mental wellbeing whilst growing in confidence as a mum during the pre and postnatal period.
Suzanne Littlejohn is a senior charge nurse in the MBU.
She said: “It is a privilege to work in a service that really helps new mums with their mental wellbeing.
“But also I work with an amazing team that have the same values and dedication.
“When we started working towards our accreditation it was evident that as a team we wished to gain the recognition for what we do.
“Working with the Royal College of Psychiatry enable our practice to be assessed alongside the patients receiving the best possible experience and also as a team we can continually develop as excellent practitioners.”
The RCP Perinatal Quality Network (PQN) work with all mother and baby units and community perinatal teams to share the best practice at a national level.
They use a review and accreditation process to promote the highest level of care.
Sarah Moore (42) has been cared for by staff in the MBU.
She said: “I cannot thank the wonderful nurses at St John’s Mother and Baby Unit enough.
“In the three weeks I’ve been here I have made so much progress, I feel like I have my life back.
“I feel I’ve been able to find myself again and bond with my baby girl Lullah.
“The unit provided me with a safe, calm and supportive environment which has given me my confidence as a mum back. The staff also make the best cheesecake ever!
“I feel ready to go home now and have learned some invaluable coping strategies in here.”
The unit has six beds and six cots and admits mother and baby together where the child is under one year old.
This means that women can receive appropriate care and treatment for their mental illness, while being able to maintain and develop their parenting role and relationship with their infant.
It provides treatment and carefor mothers and babies for NHS Borders, Fife, Highland, Lothian and Tayside.