Ribblemere Mother and Baby Unit and is an 8 bed, inpatient facility for mothers with serious mental health problems to access support and treatment whilst remaining alongside their babies. 

Ribblemere provides care for women experiencing severe mental health problems or who may be at high risk of becoming mentally unwell in the perinatal period, including very serious conditions such as post-partum psychosis. Ribblemere enables treatment and recovery for mothers while allowing their relationships with their babies to develop. 

The unit is staffed by multidisciplinary teams across psychiatry, nursing and nursery care. 

Ribblemere care and treatment

We offer joint hospital admissions for women and their babies where a mother is suffering from a mental health problem, and appropriate treatment and care cannot be provided at home. The unit also accepts admissions of women in the latter stages of pregnancy.

The exact nature of the treatment that is provided will differ for each patient depending on the nature of their difficulties, and is decided upon jointly between the patient and the multi-disciplinary team. This treatment will be detailed in a care plan which is written and kept up to date as things change throughout the admission. Some of the specific treatments available on the unit are:

  • Medical treatment 
  • Psychological Therapy including 1:1 and parent-infant approaches
  • Groups to help you bond with your baby
  • Infant massage 
  • Occupational therapy
  • Relaxation
  • Anxiety management    

During admission, mothers are supported by staff to provide as much care to their baby as they are able to. It is common for mothers to need a high level of support when first admitted and therefore may initially be a member of staff with baby at all times.

Contact the Ribblemere Unit

Address: Ribblemere Unit, Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital, Preston Road, Chorley, PR7 1PP

Reception telephone: 01772 520780

Ward telephone: 01772 520781

If you are considering making a referral to Ribblemere MBU, the first step is to phone the ward to discuss with the nursing team, please contact the unit on 01772 520780 or 01772 520781

A staff member will be able to discuss the referral and advise what information is necessary to complete the form. Please ensure to send any other relevant forms such as risk assessments, health and social needs assessments. 

Ribblemere Mother and Baby Unit

Perinatal Positivity