Residential Program

All the details you need to know about the Masada Mother Baby Unit Residential Program

What is the program?
You will be cared for by a team of health care professionals including specialist nurses, a clinical psychologist, a general medical practitioner and a paediatrician. Other health care professionals might be involved in your care if needed.

The program has three components.

Your health and your baby’s health, development and behaviour will be assessed. Then an individual program including an age appropriate routine for daily care for your baby will be designed in consultation with you to address your presenting difficulties. Each day the nurse who is responsible for looking after you will check how this is progressing and will ask you about how you are finding things.

Second, each day a group program is run in which all mothers are expected to participate. Some of these will focus on teaching you about infant behaviour and development and the management of life with a baby and others will be opportunities for more general discussion.

Finally, the importance of the family unit is recognised by the provision of a partner support program. Fathers and carers for your baby are encouraged to attend sleep-settling group, which is on Tuesday at 09:00am. Your partner is invited to have an individual session to practice settling the baby and we expect all partners to attend the Fathers group.

When is the program conducted?
Each program runs from Monday to Saturday.

Once a client has booked in for the Residential program they are expected to stay for the full five-night program, unless the baby or the mother becomes unwell and needs to be discharged early and re-attend when well.

Older children can visit between 3:00pm and 4:30pm, and they are not permitted to stay in the hospital overnight.

How can I access the residential program?
Please contact the Mother Baby Unit on

Phone: (03) 9038 1413
Email: Masada.mbu@ramsayhealth.com.au

What is the booking process?
The Booking Coordinator will contact you to make an appointment for your pre-admission assessment. A tentative admission date will be allocated at this time. It is imperative that you adhere to this time as staff are allocated for your interview and admission.

What is the pre-admission process?
MBU staff will conduct a pre-admission assessment and appointment date will be given for 12-14 days prior to program. At pre-admission assessment, goals and expectations will be discussed so that an individual, realistic plan of management can be established for your care. If you or your baby becomes unwell a new admission date will be organised. The program most appropriate for your needs will be determined after assessment interview and is based on Medical referral and strict admission criteria.

Prior to admission we suggest you:

• Check health insurance coverage.
• Discuss with your partner his involvement in your family stay and attendance in the evenings.
• Keep in touch with your General Practitioner and MCHN.
• Whilst waiting utilise friends and relatives support if available.

What is the discharge process?
The multidisciplinary team who cared for you and your baby meet to review and discuss your progress and goals achieved. Planning for further ongoing support may be necessary for individuals. Recommendation and referral will be given as necessary. At the conclusion of the program consolidation and evaluation of the program is conducted.

A follow-up call is provided to you two weeks post-discharge from Masada Mother Baby Unit. Then you will need to follow up with your General Practitioner and Maternal Child Health Nurse for further advice appropriate to your baby’s age.

Discharge Time is 8 am on Saturday

What to bring to unit
Health Insurance details, Referral letter and paper work must be sent in prior to pre-admission assessment day.
Medicare Card
Child Health Record

For Mother

• Casual day clothing
• Toiletries
• Current medications
• Leisure materials (eg. Craftwork, book, writing pad, pens etc.)
• Small amount of money for papers and kiosk

For Baby

• Clothes, bibs, nappies,
• Favourite toys, teddy or rug and play blanket
• Toiletries- creams, ointments and soaps
• A stroller/pram
• Formula/bottles/feeding cup
• Special bedding / blanket for baby
• Any current medication
• NOTE: Washing facilities not provided