Mother and baby unit.

[twingo9314]

don't want to go into detail but I am being asked to go as an impatient at a baby and mother phyciatric unit.
Was just wondering if any one on here has had experience of these units

Thanks

[twingo9314]

also
I have very young twins
social services came into my life when I was pregnant after a fight with my now ex partner he is in jail.
He is not biological fthr.

Now the social services are proposing I go into a phyciatric ward.
I have past mental health
issues.
Also left my X partner as soon as social services came into my life

[ange301126]

Dear Twingo9314
Consult your GP urgently.Children's Services can suggest psychiatric treatment but don't have the power to order it .Only your doctor can refer you.
If the CS are in contact with him or her, you should check any information they are passing on.
Do you feel you need to go into a psychiatric ward?
If you do, you must see your Doctor to arrange for an expert assessment of your problem.
On what basis are the CS suggesting you need to go for treatment?

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear twingo9314

Welcome to Family Rights Group Parents’ Forum.

My name is Suzie and I am an Adviser at Family Rights Group.

It must be a worry for you that you are being asked to go into a psychiatric unit.

You have only said that Children Services (the new name for Social Services) would like you to go into a mother and baby psychiatric unit, but not what their concerns are about your mental health. As you have had mental health difficulties in the past Children Services might think you need support with your current pregnancy. Are you currently engaged with your local mental health services?

Children Services may have become involved with you again because of their previous involvement in respect of domestic violence. However, it is not clear from your post whether they continued to be involved with you and your twins or received a new referral in respect of your pregnancy.

If Children Services has not discussed their concerns with you, then you should ask them to explain why they consider it necessary for you to go into a unit at this stage. Have you been able to speak with your GP about the suggestion that you go into a psychiatric unit. I think it would be helpful for you to make an appointment with your GP. Does your midwife have concerns about your mental health?

It may be that this is part of the pre-birth planning for your baby that Children Services has asked you to agree to go into a psychiatric unit. I have included a copy of our advice sheet relating to child protection procedures for your information. Also included here is an advice sheet about the support you can expect to receive as you say you have past mental health issues.

Unfortunately, I am not able to advice you in respect of direct experience in a mother and baby psychiatric unit, but usually it is to ensure that both mother and baby receive the support necessary. For example, if you were to need medication after the birth this would be available to you. There would also be monitoring of how you cope with looking after the baby, how you bond with the baby and if you are able to respond to the baby’s needs appropriately.

Hopefully, you will be able to get some advice/support from other parents on the forum who may have had direct experience of your situation.

Should you wish to speak to an Adviser you can telephone our advice line on 0808 801 0366. Calls are free from landlines and most mobile networks. The advice line is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

I hope you will find this information helpful.

Best wishes,

Suzie

[twingo9314]

Hi.. They are basically saying that they believe I need assessment because I have had previously a few phycotic episode. I haven't been on medication for over a year and my own phyciatrist doesn't believe that I should be on med's unless for intervention of a episode.
The social services said they want me too go in due to a few time that I have lost my temper and shouted at a social worker.. Not out of a mental health issue just out of being angry that they are trying to blackmail me into doing things I don't want too or my babies will be taken.
I'm not a danger to my babies I have been diagnosed with bipolar tyPe 2. I am stable and have been For a long time. I feel like the domestic violence has been a gateway for the social services to unpick my life.
I'm scared to refuse as they've said they'll go into court proceedings if I don't agree.

[twingo9314]

Also sorry there are NO concerns with my mental health apart from me shouting at a social worker. Is this grounds for referral.

[ange301126]

Your paramount duty is for the welfare of your baby and you should follow the medical advice of the medical staff involved. Should they recommend a mother and baby psychiatric unit, then you should agree to go into one.
However, social workers cannot make you go off their own bat and maybe they are unaware of the improvements you have made.

Probably your GP referred you to the CS as a matter of routine once you presented as expecting a child. In those circumstances,they have to look into it but the first thing they have to do is establish relevant facts amongst which is your updated medical condition and prognosis.

In order to do their job properly, they will follow the procedures laid down in the child-protection procedures link provided by Suzie.

I advise you to cooperate with the procedures and all reasonable investigations whilst making sure they stick to those rules.

Point out the fresh prognosis and make sure your voice is heard but tell them you have a duty to follow the instructions of the doctors and will only go into a psychiatric unit if the medics advise it!

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Twingo9314

Can I also recommend you request an up to date report from your psychiatrist with regards to your present mental health. If the psychiatric evaluation states there are no current concerns, this assessment may be highly influential in the decision making process regarding you and your unborn child and an intensive community based treatment programme could be recommended in consultation with you.

On the other hand, if the psychiatrist's view is that a mother and baby unit were in both your and the baby's best interests, there will need to be some agreement reached about which facility would be most appropriate at this time. Perhaps one that is most local to other services you may already be engaged in. A multi agency planning meeting and or family group conference may help with forward planning at this time.

In respect of changes to mental health legislation, the Mental Health Act 2007 was important as it highlighted the 'broadening group of practitioners who can take on the functions currently performed by the approved social worker (ASW) and responsible medical officer (RMO) .............as well as the role of the '....nearest relative ... and '.....patients the right to make an application to the county court to displace their nearest relative'. You can obtain further information from http://www.mind.org.uk.

I do hope this helps.

Best Wishes

Suzie
.