PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Mental Health Services: Mothers (12 July 2022)

Following a miscarriage, stillbirth or a difficult birth, women can develop physical and psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidance states that women should be offered psychological therapy following a difficult delivery, where post-traumatic stress disorder develops.

Specialist community perinatal mental health services have been deployed in England to allow an additional 24,000 women to access specialist care by 2023/24. In addition, 33 new maternal mental health service hubs will provide psychological therapy, maternity services and reproductive health for women with mental health needs following trauma or loss related to their maternity experience.

To reduce the risks of physical trauma, a new core curriculum for professionals working in maternity and neonatal services is being developed by the Maternity Transformation Programme in partnership with professional organisations, clinicians and service users. This aims to address variations in safety training and competency assurance in England. A single core curriculum will ensure consistent, updated safety skills between services and trusts.