Being built alongside an existing acute mental health inpatient facility in the grounds of the Belfast City Hospital and proximity to obstetric-led maternity services at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, Nesbitt said was essential for safe, high-quality care.
“Severe perinatal mental illness can escalate rapidly, and immediate access to specialist support can be lifesaving,” Nesbitt added in a statement.
“My decision reflects clear clinical advice from departmental officials, the Public Health Agency and Royal College of Psychiatrists’ best-practice guidance.”
Each year, about 100 women in Northern Ireland are admitted to adult psychiatric wards for care, without their babies.
Liz Morrison of the charity, Action on Postpartum Psychosis, said they were “over the moon” at the minister’s statement that the aim is for the unit to open “no later than 2028/29”.
“APP has been campaigning for a Northern Ireland MBU (mother and baby unit) since our inception in 2011, together with the mums and families affected by postpartum psychosis who we support.
“We’ve waited far too long.”