How can we help you? Parents quizzed over baby’s first 1,001 days
PARENTS are being asked for their views to help improve health and community services for young families.
Senior Tory MP Andrea Leadsom – an adviser to Boris Johnson on early years health – is seeking views from mums and dads on how to strengthen the care and advice available.
Healthcare staff, charities and volunteer groups will also be asked for their input on how to help parents during the 1,001 days from a child’s conception to its second birthday.
Ms Leadsom said: “The lockdown has brought into focus many of the challenges that new families face. Many have struggled with feelings of isolation and not knowing who to turn to for help.
“We want to use these experiences to learn how we can improve services as we go forward.” Parents and those involved in prenatal and postnatal care can complete the questionnaire on the gov. uk website from 9am today.
It is part of a review of Government support for early years development being led by Ms Leadsom. Her initial report will be made in January.
The initiative follows research suggesting the first two years of a child’s life have big impact on their long- term physical and mental development.
Ms Leadsom was asked to carry out the review by the Prime Minister shortly after his arrival in Downing Street last year.
NHS England research suggests one in five mothers and one in 10 fathers experiences mental health problems during pregnancy and after birth. Pregnancy can often be a trigger for domestic abuse, too, with between 15 and 30 per cent of cases starting during this time.