Specialist mother and baby unit needed in Ireland, says TD Ward

A specialist perinatal mental health service must be developed on the island of Ireland, a Sinn Fein TD has said.

Mental health spokesperson for the party, Mark Ward TD says that there is no mother and baby unit in Ireland and for mothers who need impatient care are currently admitted to acute psychiatric units.

“It is unacceptable that there is no mother and baby perinatal unit on the island of Ireland.

“Mothers who need inpatient care are currently admitted to acute psychiatric units without their children.

“In the south a preferred site has been chosen for a specialist perinatal mental health service in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin but there are no meetings scheduled to discuss this until at least September this year.

“This is not good  enough as shortcomings in our maternity and mental health  services have directly led to heartrending incidents involving mothers and children, including the tragic deaths of some.

“We must have a specialist perinatal mental health service that is fit for purpose, free to act in the best interests of women’s health and available to all women on our island,” he says.