Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of creating a single point of contact for mental health support for postpartum individuals.

The Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is currently considering a wide range of evidence and proposals to inform its development of the Maternity and Neonatal Action Plan to be published later this year. Maternal mental health is a key area of focus for the Taskforce, and we will ensure that the Hon Member’s proposals are fed into that process.

We recognise how important it is for women with perinatal mental health problems to get the right care and support they need. Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services, including mother and baby units, specialist perinatal community teams, and Maternal Mental Health Services, are available for women with or at risk of mental health conditions for up to two years after giving birth.