Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle perinatal mental illness.

We are committed to improving perinatal mental health services.

Early intervention in the first part of a child’s life can significantly improve outcomes. This includes early identification and support for social, emotional, behavioural and mental health issues.

From April 2019, new and expectant mothers have been able to access specialist perinatal mental health community services in every part of the country.

Our investment in perinatal mental health services means that an additional 30,000 women will access these services each year by 2020/21 with the care that they receive making a significant difference to their lives – and to the lives and life chances of their children.

The NHS Long Term Plan includes a commitment for a further 24,000 women to be able to access specialist perinatal mental health care by 2023/24. Specialist care will also be available from preconception to 24 months after birth, which will provide an extra year of support.