Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of covid-19 restrictions on (a) post-natal depression and (b) support for people with post-natal depression.

We recognise the impact of the pandemic and restrictions on people’s mental wellbeing and are doing our utmost to ensure that mental health services are there for everyone who needs them, including people with post-natal depression.

From April 2019, new and expectant mothers have been able to access specialist perinatal mental health community services in every part of the country. These services have continued to provide support during the pandemic with greater use of digital and remote technologies providing support and prioritising higher needs families.

From 1 April 2020 it has been a contractual requirement for general practitioners to offer a maternal postnatal consultation at six to eight weeks after birth which should focus on a review of the mother’s physical and mental health and general wellbeing.