Childbirth-related Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Lord Winston Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The noble Baroness is absolutely right about the involvement of parents being key, and it is variable across the country. This is not least because of the estate and the ability to do it. This is why we have invested £187 million in the maternity and neonatal estate since April of last year. I think that is a step forward; I do not think it will resolve the whole issue, but I hope it gives an indication to the noble Baroness that the point she is raising is well heard and being responded to, and that we will continue to respond to it.

[Lord Winston (Lab)]

My Lords, I think the noble Baroness is referring to a paper by Susan Ayers, who has studied this for many years. It is certainly not a new problem. In the literature, there are over 700 papers on post-traumatic stress disorder in childbirth and another 1,700 papers on it during or in childbirth. This is a long-standing problem. It is not always serious, but when it is then it needs to be taken very seriously. Most cases are relatively trivial and the national incidence is about 3.17% of women in childbirth. This is something we can handle. As the paper by Susan Ayers correctly points out, we could do something much better in primary care in this situation. I hope the Minister will take this on board.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I certainly will take that on board. I completely agree that this is not a new issue, but the report shines another light on the situation. I can confirm to my noble friend that I have specifically said that early identification of issues is crucial. Yes, there is a six-week to eight-week follow-up point, but I know—and many noble Lords will be aware from their own experience in their communities and families—that it is very variable how appropriate, good and effective that is. It is not acceptable that we have such a wide range, so I will focus very much on making those improvements.