Northern Ireland's first dedicated mum and baby unit to open
The move will allow the provision of specialist inpatient mental health care, allowing mothers to stay with their babies while receiving treatment,
Last updated 1st May 2026
Northern Ireland’s first dedicated mother and baby unit is set to be open no later than 2029.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said it had been a personal priority to address the “unacceptable” lack of such a unit in Northern Ireland, making it the only part of the UK without one.
He said that such a unit would provide specialist inpatient mental health care, allowing mothers to stay with their babies while receiving treatment, and such an approach is recognised as best practice.
“It supports recovery, protects infant wellbeing, and strengthens the earliest bonds between mother and child, bonds which are critical for lifelong health and development,” he said.
He added that, after asking officials to assess all options for potential sites, that a permanent mother and baby unit would be established at a site at Belfast City Hospital.
He said a scoping exercise had “confirmed” that alternative locations or construction approaches would not deliver "a materially shorter timeline or better value for money”.
He said in some cases they would involve “additional costs, staffing pressures and increased clinical risk”.
“Most importantly, they would not offer the same level of safety and assurance for mothers and babies,” he said.
“Unfortunately, no agreement was possible with clinicians on a temporary/interim solution.
“However, I have secured a significant shortening of the timeframe for construction, by at least two years, meaning the unit should open no later than 2028/29.
“The outline business case for the facility has been approved at trust board level and submitted to the Strategic Planning and Performance Group.
“Departmental Health Estates has confirmed that preparatory work is complete and as the commissioner’s letter of support has been issued, a design team can be appointed immediately and the project can proceed to the next stage of delivery.
“This represents a significant step forward from commitment to delivery.”
Meanwhile, a national charity dedicated to postpartum psychosis - a severe but treatable form of mental illness that begins suddenly in the days and weeks after having a baby - has welcomed the decision.
Liz Morrison from Action on Postpartum Psychosis told Bauer Media NI: "We are absolutely over the moon that there will be a mother and baby unit in Northern Ireland within three years.
"It is going to save women's lives and it is going to prevent life-long trauma caused by separating mums and babies when mums are admitted acute psychiatric wards instead of being kept with their babies."