Report reveals new mums missing out on mental health services

A new report has found that pregnant women and new mums are missing out on vital mental health services and the NHS is not on track to meet key targets.

The Maternal Mental Health Alliance found a wide disparity in care for new and expectant mums across the country, and that progress was at risk of stalling, with money not always being spent.

According to experts, up to one in five women experience a mental health condition either during pregnancy or the first year of their child’s life.

In 2020, ten women took their own lives while pregnant or shortly after giving birth, the same number as the previous three years combined.

In 2016, the UK government pledged an upheaval in mental health services, including a promise to provide almost £300m to provide specialist care for expectant or new mothers in England.  However, new figures from the MMHA reveal that large gaps in care remain.

The issue does not appear to be a lack of funding, rather that money is not always being spent.

Figures from the alliance show that almost three quarters of mental health trusts in England forecast an underspend for 2022.  Across the UK, over £15m allocated to improve maternal mental health in 2022 was not spent.

Chadwick Lawrence’s Legal 500 recommended West Yorkshire medical negligence solicitors and birth injury solicitors, have over 20 years of experience and specialist expertise in medical negligence investigations and claims, including cerebral palsy claims and other birth injury claims, supporting injured clients and their families through the legal process and helping them obtain answers, justice and compensation after life-changing events.  We have offices in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Halifax, Leeds, Bradford and Morley and represent clients locally and nationally.

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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