Maternal Mortality

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Buscombe

Tuesday 20th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

This is absolutely crucial. I welcome that, as of June last year, maternal mental health services are available in all parts of England. We also now have 153 operational mother and baby unit beds providing in-patient care to women experiencing severe mental health difficulties during and before pregnancy. In addition, mental health services are available for women who have pre-existing mental health needs, as well as for those who experience challenges because of their pregnancy or labour. The GP check-up six to eight weeks after birth is absolutely crucial.

[Baroness Buscombe (Con)]

My Lords, something is happening. In the last decade or so, I have been watching the extraordinary increase in the number of healthy young mothers having C-sections. Why is this phenomenon—if I might call it that, though that is probably the wrong word to use—happening? Is this something that is part of the inquiry? Are people trying to understand whether it is because those in the midwifery world are afraid that natural births lead to more deaths?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

This may be something that my noble friend Lady Amos looks at. She is very much focused on maternity services, which will include mortality and looking at the range of options. The noble Baroness will understand that there is an important balance to be struck between the voice and choice of patients, which we respect, and safety, which must be paramount.

Social Care Reform

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Buscombe

Thursday 22nd May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

As I mentioned, the terms of reference for the noble Baroness, Lady Casey, are deliberately broad. She will set out how she will involve all those who are affected and have a voice, because she wants to make sure that it is a thorough report.

[Baroness Buscombe (Con)]

My Lords—

Mental Health Bill [HL]

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Buscombe

Report stage
Monday 31st March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I note what the noble Baroness has said. We have discussed these issues a number of times in the Chamber and outside. On her second point, the situation is as I have outlined, and I do not feel I should go further today. These are the points I wish to bring before your Lordships’ House. I am happy to take up the points she raised separately. However, on her point about the exact details of the meeting, to be quite honest I cannot give that level of detail. I am very happy to find out more from my officials. The noble Baroness originally asked whether there had been a meeting, and the answer is yes.

[Baroness Buscombe (Con)]

My Lords, the Minister will know that I pledged at the very beginning, before the Bill came to this House, that I would do all I could to help its passage. I made that pledge to the Secretary of State. Given the continued conflict, as we see it, with the Children Act, would the Minister be prepared between now and Third Reading—rather than us dividing the House on this later—to have a little more discussion on this issue? We discussed it at great length during our inquiry into the draft Mental Health Bill. To us, it is a significant point that does not appear to have been properly resolved. In wanting to support the Government in making sure, as my noble friend has said, that they are not opening themselves to legal challenge, and to ensure a safe passage of the Bill, can I put that possibility to the Minister?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I am grateful to the noble Baroness, not least because she has also given me a bit of time to add to my earlier answer to the noble Baroness, Lady Berridge, about the meeting with the lead of the AMHP Leads Network last November. That meeting took place after the Bill was published.

On the point the noble Baroness raised, whether the House will be divided will be a matter for the noble Baroness, Lady Berridge, and others to decide, but I am always happy to have discussions. If the noble Baroness wishes to do that, I will be very pleased to, as always.