Managing Mood Disorders

The Managing Mood Disorders is a full day program focussing on Understanding and Managing Anxiety & Depression during the Perinatal Period.

Participants must be under the care of a Psychiatrist accredited to the Hospital, and mothers are welcome to bring their babies.

While it is recommended you have Private Health Insurance to attend this program, we do accept self-funded patients.

Morning tea & lunch provided.

Circle of Security

Our circle of security program is a half day program that runs over an eight week period. This internationally recognised program is a relationship-based early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children.

The program is facilitated by fully qualified, caring professionals.

Due to the nature of the program babies are discouraged to attend (special consideration will be made if baby is under the age of 4 months).

Participants must be under the care of a Psychiatrist accredited at Mitcham Private Hospital.

While it is recommended you have Private Health Insurance to attend this program, we do accept self-funded patients.

Morning tea is provided.

Our Perinatal outreach services is where an experienced Perinatal clinical visits a patient in the home to provide individualised care and treatment.

Our Outreach service caters for individuals who are transitioning from an inpatient admission (hospital stay) to home or individuals seeking treatment in the community in order to try and avoid an inpatient admission.

Participants must be under the care of a Psychiatrist accredited at Mitcham Private Hospital.

While it is recommended you have Private Health Insurance to attend this program, we do accept self-funded patients. Please contact the hospital for admission criteria.

Travel distance criteria apply.

Our Perinatal Mental Health Unit is available for postnatal stays, with your baby (aged up to 12 months) and for expectant mothers. The average stay is 2-3 weeks but this will depend on each individual case.

Accommodation and services

Our unit has six private rooms, each with ensuite. During your stay you will receive individualised care based on your individual needs and the needs of your baby.

Support for loved ones

Support people need support, too. Significant others are provided care via the unit as well, including a weekly partners’ support group.

Going home

Discharge Planning commences on admission and is an important part of care. This includes a plan for follow up care and building a support network.

Admission process

Our unit operates 24/7 and you can be admitted any day of the week with a Medical Practitioner referral, dependent on availability. All potential patients are triaged by a Mental Health Triage Nurse and approved by an admitting psychiatrist prior to admission.

To be admitted to our unit the following steps need to be followed:

1. Your referring Medical Practitioner is required to send the completed Perinatal Mental Health Services Referral Form to our Perinatal Triage Team.
2. You are required to complete the Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Scale Form
3. You are required to complete Perinatal Unit Pre-Admission assessment form
4. Please forward your forms to our Triage Team via Mail, Fax or email;

If filling out and sending forms to us via mobile phone or tablet we recommend downloading the latest free version of Adobe Fill & Sign through your app store. Please note this is not required if completing the forms on a desktop computer.

What to bring

For Mother

• Health Insurance Details
• Medicare Card
• Casual, comfortable day clothes
• Night attire
• Toiletries (include sun lotion in warmer months)
• Current Medications

For Infant

• Clothing – enough for duration of stay
• Toiletries
• Pram
• Favourite toys, play blanket and comforter for bed if age appropriate
• Wraps
• Bibs and spoon
• Current medications
• Bottles, bottle brush, teats, formula and infant cup (if required)
• Disposable nappies
• Infant cereal (if required)
• You might like to bring your own cot sheets
• Infants four months and over may use an acceptable sleeping bag. Sleeping bags used in the unit should be lightweight with a TOG rating of 1.0 or lower.
• Infant Health Record

Mitcham Private Hospital will provide

• Towels, linen
• Steam steriliser and bottle warmer
• Solids for Babies if needed

We recommend you leave all valuable personal items at home, including money and jewellery. We cannot accept responsibility for the loss or damage of any item brought into the hospital.

Perinatal Unit Triage Team
Mitcham Private Hospital
27 Doncaster East Road
Mitcham VIC 3132