Tag Archives: Wales

New Mother and Baby Unit opens its doors to women and families in Wales

Uned Gobaith (‘Unit of Hope’) is now officially open for referrals. The new interim Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) in Swansea Bay University Health Board will provide specialist inpatient care to new and expectant mums who experience serious mental health problems. Continue reading New Mother and Baby Unit opens its doors to women and families in Wales

MMHA calls on the next Welsh Government to prioritise perinatal mental health

By Dr Sarah Witcombe-Hayes, Everyone’s Business Wales Coordinator

The next Senedd elections are less than 50 days away and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance want to ensure that perinatal mental health is firmly on the agenda.

On Thursday 6th May 2021, the people of Wales will elect members to the newly renamed Senedd Cymru – the Welsh Parliament. This historic election will be the first time that 16 and 17-year-olds have the opportunity to vote since the Senedd was established in 1999.

MMHA has used the strength of our collective voice to launch a Senedd Election Manifesto that calls on all political parties and candidates to prioritise maternal mental health and Turn the Map Green during the next Senedd term. Continue reading MMHA calls on the next Welsh Government to prioritise perinatal mental health

How perinatal mental health services in Wales reacted to the pandemic

Update from Dr Sarah Witcombe-Hayes, Everyone’s Business Campaign Wales Coordinator

Service adaptations

Perinatal mental health

In Wales, community perinatal mental health (PMH) services have continued to operate throughout the COVID-19 crisis, providing support to mums, dads/partners and the families who need it.

Fortunately, PMH teams were unaffected by redeployment to other frontline areas and were able to work quickly and innovatively to ensure appointments moved online or over the phone, where possible. More intensive face-to-face support has been determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on need. Support and consultation for other healthcare colleagues have also been prioritised. Continue reading How perinatal mental health services in Wales reacted to the pandemic

New mums face gaps in vital specialist mental health services in Wales

Thousands of new mums in Wales who need treatment for mental health problems during pregnancy or following birth are facing different levels of specialist care based on where they live according to new research from NSPCC Cymru/Wales, Mind Cymru the National Centre for Mental Health and the Mental Health Foundation.

Continue reading New mums face gaps in vital specialist mental health services in Wales