1. Mother and Baby Unit
(awareness session)

2. What is a Mother and Baby Unit?
Inpatient unit for women with severe mental health problems to receive care and treatment and not be separated from their babies.
Diagnosis include: Bi-polar, Puerperal psychosis, severe depression, anxiety, OCD
Women can be admitted to the unit from 32 weeks pregnant until the baby is 1 year old.
Severe mental health needs
316 mothers
Mild to moderate mental health needs 3,000-5,000 mothers
Universal services 5,200 mothers

3. What is it like to work on a MBU?
The ward is an 8-bedded unit, all ladies will have an individual room and en-suite
Full preparation kitchen staffed with cooks to give women choice and to support health eating
Separate baby bath area, nursery and milk kitchen
Groups and activities for the women and their babies to encourage attachment and bonding with baby and for mum mental health needs

4. What is it like to work on a MBU?
All staff on the ward will be expected to provide care to the babies if needed, this will supported by nursery nurses who will formulate a care plan for every baby on the unit
Provide Outreach service for women recently discharged from MBU for up to 3 months post discharge
Close links with the Community Perinatal Team who are also located in the same building as the MBU

5. Staff Team on the Mother and Baby Unit
Staff covering 24 hour care over 3 shifts
Early Shift Late Shift Night shift
Band 6 and 5 mental health nurses.
Band 4 Assistant practitioners
Band 4 Nursery nurses, Band 3 Support workers
Rest of the Multidisciplinary team
Ward Manager, Modern Matron
Peer Support worker
1 Consultant psychiatrist, 1 Speciality Doctor
Psychology
Occupational Therapist
Social Worker
2 days midwife and health visitor time
Pharmacist

6. Important Dates
Staff to start in the team on 1 November 2018 and start training package before the Unit opens end of January 2019
Some of the training that will be included:
Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMA)
Immediate Life Support for Adults and Neonatal Resuscitation
Clinical Statutory and Mandatory training
Specialist Perinatal training
Care of baby training
We would like all staff to have the training provided so have planned that no training will be arranged for the week 24 December until January for staff to take annual leave and enjoy a Christmas off before the Unit opens.

7. Application Process
Adverts for Nurses, Assistant Practitioners, Support Workers and Nursery Nurses are currently out and can be found at with a closing date and planned interview dates for first 3 weeks in July 2018
Take time to complete the supporting information as this is helpful when we are shortlisting applications
NSFT uses Values Based Recruitment

8. Where can I get more information
NSFT Website (nsft.nhs.uk)
Royal College of Psychiatrist CCQI Standard
NHS Perinatal Care Pathways
APP (Action on Postpartum Psychosis)
Maternal Mental Health Alliance
Youtube clips of other National MBUs
Stacey from East Enders story line