The Beeches
The Beeches, formerly the Mother and Baby Unit, is an award winning self-contained specialised inpatient unit based at the Radbourne Unit, on the Royal Derby Hospital site. It can accommodate up to six mothers with their babies. Women can be admitted from 32 weeks antenatally or postnatally with their babies up to the age of nine months, but in exceptional circumstances, up to one year.
Treatment is given by a consultant psychiatrist, psychiatric nurses, nursery nurses and health care assistants, with access to occupational therapy and psychology services if needed.
View a video about the Beeches, below.
The Beeches rated as one of the UK's best
The Beeches has been nationally accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists for a second successful time following a visit from external healthcare professionals and ‘expert patients’ who are part of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ quality network for perinatal mental health.
This kite mark, which lasts for three years, highlights and offers assurance that the Beeches is offering high quality care to pregnant women and new mothers who are experiencing acute mental health issues.
The team are now being visited on a yearly basis by the Royal College of Psychiatrists quality network. This takes the form of a peer review to ensure that the unit is maintaining the standards met and to highlight any service developments.
Referral procedure and criteria for inpatient services
Inpatient referrals will be accepted from:
- Consultant psychiatrists
- General practitioners (GP)
- Consultant obstetricians
- Perinatal Community Mental Health Team
- Crisis Teams
Contact either the secretary on 01332 623800 or the ward team on 01332 623828.
Pleae complete the universal referral form at www.nhswebbeds.co.uk
Women need to be experiencing one of the following conditions:
- A puerperal psychosis
- Severe postnatal depression
- Severe anxiety disorder
- Significant disorders of bonding
- Relapse of existing mental health problems e.g. schizophrenia, major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder
Priority will be given to women from Derbyshire, but out-of-area referrals will be accepted subject to bed availability. Unfortunately facilities do not exist to manage older children, but an open visiting policy is encouraged.
We would not normally accept referrals for women who:
- Have an infant under the care of the local authority
- In the absence of mental illness have a primary diagnosis of either personality disorder or drug/alcohol misuse
On admission, a named nurse and nursery nurse will be allocated, who will facilitate an individual treatment plan and support package prior to discharge. The team liaises directly with any midwifery or health visiting services involved. In addition to this there is a link midwife and health visitor attached to the unit.
