The length of stay is dependent on treatment plans and individual needs. On average women stay for around six weeks.
There will be other mothers who are experiencing mental health difficulties and their babies. The unit can treat and care for up to 10 women at a time.
From 8am, breakfast is available and usually consists of cereal and toast.
At 12.00pm, lunch is provided by the hospital caterers, who can cater for special diets.
At 5pm, an evening meal is provided by the hospital caterers, who can cater for special diets.
A kitchen is available for mothers to cook.
A separate fridge is available for mothers to keep any snacks, drinks or home cooked food.
You will get plenty of opportunities to meet with the team on a weekly basis. One such example is
the Care Programme Approach (CPA), a meeting with you and professionals involved in your care. A
member of your personal network (e.g. a friend or family member) can also attend.
The CPA will be held at Coombe Wood with members of staff directly involved in your care, as well as those in the community, such as the Perinatal Mental Health Team, Social Services and Health Visitors. CPAs makes sure everyone involved communicates with you and your support network.
CPA involves:
The unit is located at Park Royal Centre for Mental Health on Central Way, NW10 7FL. It is next door to Central Middlesex Hospital. The unit is easily accessible by both bus and train – map and travel information are available on request by emailing pmhs.cnwl@nhs.net or telephone 020 8955 4495.
For baby
*If possible, it is advisable to mark baby’s items with name or initial due to similar items on the unit
For you
For safety reasons the following items must not be brought into the hospital: illegal drugs (or any other illicit substance), alcohol, weapons or sharp objects of any kind or offensive literature.
Please do not bring valuables in the Unit. If the valuable items remain with you, they are your responsibility.
The surrounding area offers a range of convenient amenities:
On admission, our procedure is that initially all babies sleep in the upstairs nursery so that mothers can have a good rest. The babies are supervised by nursing staff but it does not mean that you cannot care for you baby during night-time. It will be discussed as part of your individual care plan how much baby care you feel able to do and how long this arrangement will continue. Nursing staff are available for support/advice during the night and they also perform routine checks throughout the night ensuring the wellbeing and safety of all mothers and their babies.
Staff, are available through the night to supervise and support mothers with caring for their babies. If you are worried about medication affecting the care of your baby you can speak to a doctor, nurse or a pharmacist.
Initially, this has to be discussed with the nursing team. After a road safety assessment is carried out then arrangements to go out with your baby will be documented as part of your individual care plan.
This is procedure in the unit from admission until we get to know you and are able to see how you are caring for your baby. The level of supervision will be reviewed as quickly as possible and will be part of your individual care planning whilst you are on the unit.
For health and safety reasons, due to the height of changing room surface and bathing facilities for babies, all mothers are supervised when in the baby changing room regardless of the level of supervision they are currently on.
At Coombe Wood, we offer a range of therapies to support you during your stay. You will be offered a psychological assessment with our psychologist, who will help tailor support to your needs. You will also have opportunities to attend 1:1 or group therapy and meet with our Psychology team which include Family,
EMDR, Art and Occupational Therapists.
There is a weekly group activity programme facilitated by our members of our multidisciplinary team who include; an art psychotherapist, an occupational therapist, psychologist, nursery nurses and nursing staff. The groups include psychotherapy, baby massage, relaxation, art therapy, community meeting and floor play. There is also a father’s group which your partner can attend.
Example group timetable
Please note, this is subject to change.
Coombe Wood has a very experienced multidisciplinary team consisting of doctors, nurses and therapists. Many members of the team have worked in the perinatal health service for over 10 years (perinatal health describes the area of care which is for women who are pregnant or who have delivered their baby). The team also have experience of working with women who have a broad range of mental health disorders during pregnancy and in the post-natal period.
On admission you will be made aware of the name of a doctor and a nurse who will be co-ordinating your care whilst you are in Coombe Wood.
On admission you will be made aware of the name of a doctor and a nurse who will be co-ordinating your care whilst you are in Coombe Wood.
They will see you at regular intervals throughout the week and in addition you can request to see you doctor or nurse at any time and they will make arrangements to see you.
All staff will introduce themselves to you. All the nursing staff wear tabards with their names on. There is a photoboard in the foyer with pictures of the staff on and also a list of nursing staff on duty for each shift.
The multidisciplinary team have extensive experience of treating women who are experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy and in the post-natal period. An individual treatment plan will be discussed with you and your family. The multidisciplinary team review your care/treatment at weekly meetings and any changes discussed with you and your family.
Partners, other family members and friends are welcome and encouraged to visit. Children are also welcome to visit but must be supervised at all times by the adult bringing them. If you are well enough you can go for a walk with your family in the local area.
For security reasons, all visitors should contact the ward prior to visiting and inform the team of their reason for visiting. Any visitor who cannot identify the person they wish to see or cannot produce a valid form of ID – will be refused entry.
Please refrain from visiting if you or your family are unwell with a potentially contagious illness. Please telephone and speak to a member of the Nursing Team if you need advice.
Please make sure there are no visitors in the dining room at meal times. This is protected time for mothers/birthing parents and babies (between 12pm to 1pm and 5pm to 6pm). Visiting times are scheduled after 4pm, so there is protected time for mothers/birthing parents to engage in the therapeutic activities on the unit during the day.
In special circumstances, alternative arrangements can be made if necessary. Please speak with the nursing staff.
Visitors are not permitted upstairs. If a visitor displays inappropriate behaviour they will be asked to leave.
Visiting times on Coombe Wood are:
All visitors are required to enter via the front door which has a call entry system in place.
Your named nurse will be able to discuss any problems with visiting times with you and your partner and it may be possible to make alternatives arrangements for your partner.
No, the upstairs area can only be accessed by mothers and staff on the unit.
Vaping is permitted in outside spaces only. CNWL is a smoke free NHS Trust. Smoking is not permitted inside and around the buildings and grounds. Please inform your admitting doctor and/or nurse if you smoke. They can arrange for nicotine replacement therapy.
Whilst admitted to Coombe Wood, it is expected that patients do not drive.
Parking is freely available on site. All visitors are required to register their car within 20 minutes of arrival to avoid a fine.