Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to add the maternal six week postnatal check to the General Medical Contract as recommended by the National Childbirth Trust.

Currently, the Department has no plans to add the maternal six week postnatal check to the General Medical Services Contract as recommended by the National Childbirth Trust.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance, Postnatal care up to 8 weeks after birth states “At the end of the postnatal period, the coordinating healthcare professional should ensure that the woman’s physical, emotional and social wellbeing is reviewed.” NHS England expects commissioners and providers of maternity care to pay due regard to the NICE guidelines.