Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
Alastair J. D. Macdonald
Chair, Trust Outcomes Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, The Maudsley Hospital, London, UK
Gertrude Seneviratne
Associate Clinical Director and Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, Perinatal Mental Health Services, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, UK
Freddie Waites
Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
Susan Pawlby
Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
BackgroundMother and Baby Units (MBUs) are usually preferred by patients and clinicians. Current provision is limited, although expansion is in progress. To ensure successful investment in services, outcome measurement is vital.AimsTo describe maternal outcomes, mother–infant outcomes and their relationship in one MBU.MethodPaired maternal Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores, Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) scores and Crittenden CARE-Index (CCI) mother–infant interaction data were collected at admission and discharge.ResultsThere were significant improvements in BPRS (n = 152), HoNOS (n = 141) and CCI (n = 62) scores across diagnostic groups. Maternal BPRS scores and mother–infant interaction scores were unrelated. Improvement in maternal HoNOS scores was associated with improved maternal sensitivity and reduction in maternal unresponsiveness and infant passiveness.ConclusionsPositive outcomes were achieved for mothers and babies across all diagnostic groups. Reduction in maternal symptoms, as measured by BPRS, does not necessarily confer improvement in mother–infant interaction. MBU treatment should focus on both maternal symptoms and mother–infant interaction.Declaration of interestNone.
