Please support my campaign to re-open York Mother and Baby Unit for mothers with severe post-natal depression

[mum421972]

I developed severe post-natal depression after the birth of my second child 2 years ago. The unit in York had just closed and my nearest unit in Leeds was full. I had to travel to Morpeth (2 hours away) to get treatment. I was there for 3 months and I will always be grateful to the staff for all they did for me and their excellent treatment, but I feel if I had of been closer to home I would have recovered quicker. Therefore I have set up this petition to ask that the York Mother and Baby Unit is re-opened so that others mothers who need treatment can be treated locally.

I am also interested in hearing from anyone else who has had a similar experience as I would like to get an idea of how many women in York and surrounding areas are having to travel far for treatment. Please feel free to send me a private mail on this site. All info will be treated in confidence.

Thank you :) :)

Sinead Willis
(Link to petition below)

www.change.org/p/simon-stevens-chief-executive-nhs-england-re-open-the-mother-and-baby-unit-in-york-bootham-for-treating-mothers-with-severe-post-natal-depression

[mum421972]

Thank you for your message. I agree, the unit did great work in helping mothers to recover. The unit was open for at least 20 years so there was obviously a need for it. Thanks for your support.

[Caryfakes]

I'll sign it, I had no idea it had closed. A friend of mine had PND over 15 years ago after the birth of her 3rd child and I remember visiting her in the unit at Bootham and being very impressed with her care. It was a distressing time for the whole family and can't imagine how they all would have coped had she
been moved out of York.

[mum421972]

Thank you very much. I will send you a private message.

Best wishes.

Sinead.

[junkfoodaddict]

I will sign it. I live near York and am appalled they closed it, especially as Leeds is full and those around York have to travel over 2 hours away - this should be a sign the service is still needed in York. Currently I am having a hard time of it (15 weeks pregnant) and the thought of PND is at the forefront of my mind.