Dedicated residential care home for new mothers

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre welcomes the commitment of Canberra Liberals to delivering a new, dedicated residential care home for expecting and new mothers experiencing severe mental health challenges.

“At present mothers experiencing complex mental health challenges are required to travel interstate at often great personal cost, separating them from their existing support network in Canberra and potentially from their partner and other dependent children too. This is far from ideal.” commented Dr Yvonne Luxford, CEO of Perinatal Wellbeing Centre. The service design will be based on best practice models observed domestically and in other countries. The Australian Capital Territory currently trails behind most other states and territories in Australia in the availability of public inpatient perinatal mental health support.

Liberal spokeswoman for health Vicki Dunne said the new facility will be centrally located and designed to accommodate both the mother and her baby.

“The Canberra Liberals have said the residential home will provide dedicated perinatal,psychological and primary health staff. We look forward to discussing this holistic, flexible approach to the complex mental health needs of mothers and the immense positive impact this residential home could have on growing families in Canberra.” Dr Luxford said.

“We would love to see a similar commitment from all parties, including an expansion of the concept to a true one stop perinatal wellbeing centre with residential care, our individual and group services,midwives, MACH nurses, and other professionals such as physiotherapists.”

Expecting and new parents are encouraged to call Perinatal Wellbeing Centre on 02 6288 1936 for advice and assistance.

For further comment:

Yvonne Luxford: 0420537211

Download the media release here.