New mothers key to upgrade in NHS mental health help

NEW mothers are being asked to submit evidence on their experiences of NHS mental health services after analysis found around a third missed out on vital care during the pandemic.

A new 10-year plan to improve mental health in the UK will be published later this year. Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, launched a “call for evidence” last month to inform the new plan.

Health ministers have now directly appealed to new mothers and fathers to submit their views, and said it is “crucial” their voices are heard.

New parents have been asked to suggest how specialist services can change in the future to provide them with better support.

The call comes after analysis found the NHS had failed to treat almost a third of new mothers experiencing mental health problems in the last year.

About 40,000 new and expectant mothers received specialist care in the last financial year for problems including anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.

But the number was far short of the NHS target of 57,000 a year, meaning around 16,000 missed out on care.

The analysis, carried out by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and published last week, also found referral rates were highest among younger women.

Estimates suggest one in five new mothers experience anxiety, depression and other mental health problems.

Gillian Keegan, minister for mental health, said: “It’s crucial new parents’ mental health is properly supported and our services are meeting their needs. I encourage everyone, especially new mums and dads and those with lived experience of baby loss or postnatal depression to respond to our call for evidence. It’s imperative our new plan has your voice at the centre and our mental health services work for anyone who needs to access them.”

Maria Caulfield, minister for women’s health, said: “Being a new mum can be overwhelming and looking after your mental health is paramount to ensuring you and your baby get the best start.”

Supporting new and expectant mothers is a “key priority” she said as she encouraged women to submit their views.