Perinatal Mental Health
Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Gohir(1 week, 3 days ago)
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Baroness Merron (Lab)
I pay tribute to my noble friend for her work as the chair of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance. I share her great concerns about the rate of suicide among new mothers in particular. The NHS planning guidance is not an exhaustive list of everything the NHS does. I am sure my noble friend will remember that the Darzi review highlighted that one of the problems in the NHS was too many targets. We have reduced the number of national priorities by focusing on what matters most to patients but, as my noble friend acknowledged, maternity funding has not been cut. Indeed, healthcare systems leaders now have more autonomy to meet the demands of their local populations.
Baroness Gohir (CB)
My Lords, I declare an interest as CEO of Muslim Women’s Network UK. We conducted maternity research in 2022 and found that there is a lack of awareness in some minority ethnic communities that women can suffer from poor mental health during and after pregnancy, which results in the situation that, when women ask for help, they are not believed by their families and are accused of being a bad mother or even possessed by evil spirits. Will the Government look at doing some awareness raising of perinatal mental health in minority ethnic communities and make those services more accessible to those women?
Baroness Merron (Lab)
The noble Baroness raises a very important point, particularly on voices not being heard. I am sure she heard the announcement on maternity safety made by the Secretary of State on Monday. He highlighted the issue of women’s voices and that women are so often not listened to. That is particularly the case among the minority ethnic groups the noble Baroness referred to. I assure her that that is taken into account. I am glad to say that there are record numbers of women accessing community perinatal mental health services. On the point raised, that is why it is for local areas to serve their local communities in the way she describes.
Care Quality Commission: Mental Health Care Waiting Times
Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Gohir(1 month, 3 weeks ago)
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Baroness Merron (Lab)
It is particularly appropriate that the noble Baroness raises this issue, as it is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. Yesterday I was very glad to attend an event organised by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, where I spoke to women about their experience and what has made—or not made—a difference to them. I know we are looking forward to a debate on this later in the year, but 41 maternal mental health services have already been set up to provide care for women with moderate, severe or complex mental health difficulties, and more than 62,000 women are reported to have accessed a specialist community perinatal mental health service or a maternal mental health service. Additionally, 165 beds have now been commissioned across England in 20 mother and baby units, providing in-patient care to women. But yes, we need to do more.
Baroness Gohir (CB)
My Lords, in some NHS trusts, autistic patients with learning needs and poor mental health are automatically opted into video and phone appointments, despite their communication needs. It feels as if the needs of the NHS and doctors working from home are prioritised over patient care. I know this from experience, because my son was repeatedly given video and phone appointments, even though I kept saying I wanted him to be seen in person. What can the Government do to ensure that there is a uniform approach across trusts, that patient care is prioritised and that guidelines are adhered to?
Baroness Merron (Lab)
I thank the noble Baroness for raising her experience with her family. It is clear that patients are individual people and they need to be cared for and communicated with in the way that is appropriate to them. So I am sorry to hear what she reports; that is not what we expect. If she has not already provided the details, I will be pleased to look into the matter she raises, because it has repercussions across the whole system, as she rightly says.
Black, Asian and Minority-Ethnic Women: Maternal Mortality Rates
Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Gohir(11 months ago)
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Baroness Gohir (CB)
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper, and declare my interests as set out in the register.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care (Baroness Merron) (Lab)
My Lords, I first pay tribute to the noble Baroness for her work with the Muslim Women’s Network, and for her excellent campaigning to end appalling inequities in women’s experiences across the country. Interventions such as enforced continuity of care for the most deprived and initiatives to tackle racism are key. However, further, urgent action is required. This Government are committed to closing the black and Asian mortality gaps and to ensuring safe and compassionate care for mothers and babies alike.
Baroness Gohir (CB)
I thank the Minister for her comments. A number of maternity reports tell us exactly what is contributing to the poor outcomes for minority-ethnic women and their babies. Will the Government bring the recommendations in those reports together to ensure that hospital trusts and medical professional bodies follow them? Will the Minister consider appointing a maternity commissioner, because it would save lives?
Baroness Merron (Lab)
I certainly agree with the noble Baroness that the maternity landscape is extremely crowded; there have been a number of reports and inquiries, along with investigations. I shall look very closely with officials at the recommendations from those reports as well as those that are forthcoming. With regard to an independent commissioner, I feel that there is general agreement about what the issues are, and the most important priority is to take action. Of course, in reviewing what is going on, as I am now in this post, I will consider all suggestions, and that includes the one from the noble Baroness.