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My Story: Jane, caring for a son with schizophrenia
In our series of videos for Mental Health Month watch this engaging interview with Jane, who cares for her son, diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The state's first public purpose-built Parent and Baby Unit is now open at RPA.
Naamuru Parent and Baby Unit provides holistic, multidisciplinary specialist health care that is parent and infant centred, family and carer inclusive, and culturally sensitive.
Naamuru is a purpose-built unit located at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney with eight inpatient beds opened 24 hours, 7 days per week.
Inpatient services are available for parents who are experiencing significant mental health problems in the perinatal period (before, during and after birth), and who are the primary care-giver for their baby (up to 12 months of age).
The parent and their baby are admitted together to facilitate maximum opportunity for healthy attachment and to minimise the trauma of separation. Partners or alternate support person are encouraged to stay overnight to support the care-giving and parent-baby relationship.
A multidisciplinary approach is essential to meet the unique needs of parents and babies. Our team includes mental health nurses, child and family health nurses, a clinical midwife consultant, psychiatrist, paediatrician, peer support worker, allied health staff including social worker, psychologist, occupational therapist, dietitian, and an exercise physiologist.
All staff are health professionals with the ability to attend to the mental health needs of the parent and to facilitate appropriate care of your baby and promote parent-baby interactions.
Parents and babies will have their own room with an ensuite bathroom. Rooms are generously designed with a queen sized bed, cot, and a daybed.
Within the unit, there are also communal areas including lounges, dining, kitchen and courtyard areas to accommodate multiple families. Therapeutic spaces include group/activity rooms, gym, play areas, baby care room and a retreat.
Referral to the Naamaru Parent and Baby Unit must be received through the NSW Health mental health services. If you are not under the care of mental health services, your GP or local hospital will be able to refer you to your mental health team. Naamaru Parent and Baby Unit is not able to accept self-referrals.
Naamuru Intake: 0499 843 819
Naamuru Parent and Baby Unit
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Building 23, Corner of Susan and Grose Streets
Camperdown NSW 2050
Phone: (02) 9515 1666
Fax: (02) 9515 1677
Email: SLHD-MHParentBabyUnit@health.nsw.gov.au