Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will issue guidance to GPs on resuming face-to-face six week post-natal health checks for new mothers.

As set out in the ‘Update to the GP contract agreement 2020/21–2023/24’ jointly published in February 2020 by NHS England and NHS Improvement and the British Medical Association, since 1 April 2020 it has been a contractual requirement for general practitioners to offer a maternal postnatal consultation at 6-8 weeks after birth (for live and stillbirths), as an additional appointment to that for the 6-8 week baby check. The maternal postnatal consultation should focus on a review of the mother’s physical and mental health and general wellbeing, using open questioning. NHS England and NHS Improvement expect that during the pandemic practices should continue to offer the consultation to new mothers in an appropriate format, most likely by telephone or video consultation. Guidance on the maternal postnatal consultation will be produced later in 2020 following consultation with relevant stakeholders.