Learning from experience: plans for our new Mother and Baby Unit

Blogger Eve was cared for at our Mother and Baby Unit, after the birth of her son. She now campaigns to improve access to mother and baby units, and is advising EastEnders on Stacey Branning’s postpartum psychosis storyline. We are creating a brand new site for children, young people and families, so we asked Eve about our plans.

Eve's thoughts on the new unit

I was in the QMC Mother and Baby Unit when I was unwell after the birth of my son. I was at rock bottom and thought my only chance of ridding myself of my despair was by not being alive anymore. But it turned out that wasn’t right; there was another way, and that was by being admitted to the unit.

Eve and Joe, three weeks before Eve was admitted to the Mother and Baby Unit

As a Mum, I needed to be somewhere that was safe, calm, homely and purposeful. And that is what the unit is and needs to remain in its new guise– a warm place with friendly faces with a knowledge of how to get you better. There is no better evidence base than lived experience and I am delighted that former patients have been spoken to with no subject being off limits when discussing improvement options for the new unit.