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Hertfordshire Postnatal Illness Support has presented Thumbswood Mother and Baby Unit at the QEII Hospital with their first ever laptops.

Mums in the unit suffering with postnatal illness find it hard not being able to speak to and see their older children on a daily basis.

The innovative idea of bringing a Skype facility to Thumbswood came from Sally Tyers who is a trustee and group facilitator for the charity. Now that Hertfordshire Partnership Trust has given the go ahead, Hertfordshire Postnatal Illness Support will roll out the scheme nationwide to ensure all mother and baby units can have laptops and Skype facilities for their mothers. Sally explained, 'Mums miss being able to read bed time stories to their older children or say good night to them and their family. The laptops will enable families to be in closer contact when sometimes geographically it may be difficult for them to regularly visit.' Thumbswood is a six bedded specialist service, specifically designed for mums to remain with their babies during their recovery from postnatal illness.

It has a beautifully equipped nursery and provides a homely atmosphere for the mums and babies. It also offers supportive therapies, social events and a dad's support group. The unit works proactively with the charity Hertfordshire Postnatal Illness Support who run a monthly group there for the mums to help provide them with support, information and advice during their recovery. The group also helps mums with their transition back home as they can access the monthly community group and telephone support service if they choose.

Ward Manager, Elizabeth Evans said of the charity 'The women who come to see us from Herts Postnatal Illness Support give our ill mums hope for their recovery and for their future, as they know they can use the charity's services for as long as they wish.'
The ethos of both the charity and Thumbswood is that Hertfordshire women deserve Hertfordshire services.

The charity is aware that the future of this vital, local service is in jeopardy. They hope sincerely that mums and their babies will not be separated during their psychiatric treatment as research shows the bonding process can be severely disrupted.

Charlotte Wilmer-Barbrook Chair of the charity said, 'Without the specialist support of Thumbswood when I had postnatal illness, I would not have survived to be here today or have been able to create our charity which helps families across Hertfordshire. Thumbswood must not be allowed to close.'