• NHS England has announced that new and expectant mothers across the country can now access specialist mental health care in the area where they live.
• Specialist community perinatal mental health teams can offer psychiatric and psychological assessments and care for women with complex or severe mental health problems during the perinatal period.
• This is the first time that there will be full geographical coverage, with services in every one of the 44 local NHS areas, for specialist community perinatal mental health services.
• There will also be four new mother and baby units.
  
  

Responding to NHS England’s announcement of new specialist mental health services for new and expectant mothers, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

“We welcome NHS England announcing the roll out of specialist mental health care closer to home for new and expectant mothers across England.

“The expansion of services outlined today builds on existing work to improve perinatal mental health care, and is a welcome step towards realising the ambitions set out in the NHS long term plan.

The expansion of services outlined today builds on existing work to improve perinatal mental health care, and is a welcome step towards realising the ambitions set out in the NHS long term plan.

Saffron Cordery    Deputy Chief Executive

“This will help to reduce out of area placements which can impact overall quality of care and can delay recovery through disconnection from family.

“However, mental health services are under significant strain due to rising demand as well as severe workforce pressures. It is important that as well as additional resources and funding for specialist services, we are also investing in core mental health services.”