Released on: 06 April 2021
In response to today’s announcement by NHS England of new mental health services for new, expectant and bereaved mothers, Sarah McMullen, Director of Impact and Engagement, NCT, said:
We welcome the announcement of 26 new hubs in England dedicated to supporting women during and after pregnancy with their mental and physical health. It is good to see a focus on bringing support for psychological wellbeing and physical recovery under one roof as issues are often interconnected.
It is particularly important that these new services offer a joined-up approach, most of all in the postnatal period. At this time women need support from a range of services - including midwifery, health visiting, physiotherapy, breastfeeding support, mental health and primary care - with strong joint-working between the statutory and voluntary sectors.
We will be promoting these new hubs and offering input and collaboration wherever we can. We commend this new strategy as part of the NHS Long Term Plan and eagerly await the improvements in care that it delivers for women and families.
