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

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

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

1 Citation (Scopus)

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	112-116
Number of pages	5
Journal	Australasian Psychiatry
Volume	27
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1039856218810165
Publication status	Published - Apr 2019

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10.1177/1039856218810165

Cite this

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

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.",

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AU - Galbally, M.

AU - Sved-Williams, A.

AU - Kristianopulos, D.

AU - Mercuri, K.

AU - Brown, P.

AU - Buist, A.

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AB - 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.

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