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AFFECTIONATELY REFERRED TO AS DR T BY COUNTLESS QUEENSLAND WOMEN GRATEFUL FOR HIS HELP AT THE MOST DIFFICULT TIME IN THEIR LIVES, BRISBANE PSYCHIATRIST DR ENNO TAEMETS ESTABLISHED THE BRISBANE CENTRE FOR POST NATAL DISORDERS (BCPND) IN 1991.
Dr Enno Taemets
After a presentation to a postnatal support group in Brisbane in 1991, Dr Taemets became acutely aware of the lack of facilities and specialised services for sufferers of postnatal disorders in Queensland. Quite simply, there was nowhere a woman could receive treatment and continue caring for her baby. “Following this meeting, I approached the Belmont Private Hospital CEO and following discussions with the Director of Nursing, a few beds were set aside at the end of a corridor with the express purpose of developing a perinatal unit. The unit was able to attract some very dedicated and keen staff and all in all, staff turnover in the unit is very low,” said Dr Taemets. “It is very demanding and intensive work, to not only look after new mums who are going through a very difficult time, but also to assist those new mums in managing their newborn babies.”
Many mothers need help in coming to understand the pathway of a transition from a person with a career, to now being a mother. 40
SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2013 2013 DoctorQ
COGNITIVE THERAPY AND PARENTING “We were very lucky to engage Mary Williams who was working in the cognitive therapy unit at the Belmont Private Hospital. We asked Mary to devise a program specifically designed for mothers, based on cognitive therapy principles. She developed a program that has evolved over the last 22 years from cognitive therapy, through to schema focused therapy and as such it is very highly structured. It is highly regarded, particularly by those who have gone through the program,” he said. During the last 22 years, the team has added a Triple P and Circle of Security program to the course and the unit now is a standalone facility with ten inpatient beds, a comprehensive day program, a telephone support link for past patients and a call-in centre for new mothers wishing to seek help. The unit is operational seven days a week, 24 hours a day. “I think it attests to the dedication of the staff who work in the unit that more than two decades on, the unit is not only still operating, but has grown to a very high