New mums slipping through net in ‘postcode lottery’ of mental health care
A new map suggests big gaps in provision still exist across England
Last updated 6th Jul 2018
Midwives are warning more women will slip through the net if we don't end a 'postcode lottery' of mental health care for new mums.
A new map suggests there were still shocking gaps in provision across England last year, with little or no specialist services in two thirds of the country.
The map was produced by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, who say more than 1 in 10 women develop a mental illness during pregnancy or within the first year after having a baby.
Despite that, the map suggests just 14 per cent of CCG areas across England has a perinatal mental health service which meets national standards.
“It is very sad…we’re a rich nation, and we should look at mental and physical health,” says Janet Fyle, professional policy advisor at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).
“We wouldn’t leave a woman in distress in labour, we would never do that. So why would we leave a woman in distress who’s got mental health problems?
“Women are slipping through the net. When those women become ill, we need to be able to identify that they’re ill, to support them and refer them appropriately, and (we need to have) specialist services be it in the community or in a mother and baby unit that can give them expert and quality care.”
Whilst there has been improvements in the number of mother and baby units to provide inpatient care for mothers with their babies, the RCM says community mental health care for women who don’t need to be admitted to a unit is still lacking.
“There are some women who can be cared for in the community,” says Janet.
“But in order to care for women who are not very seriously ill, you need to have services in the community closer to the woman’s home so that she can be monitored. That is missing.”
It comes as we’re backing calls for better six week check-ups for new mums, to help make sure women can access the treatment they need. It’s now been confirmed to us that MPs will debate this idea on the 19th of July.