Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in establishing specialist care for maternity and neonatal services in every area of England, including pelvic health services and bereavement care.

NHS England has committed to rolling out perinatal pelvic health services (PPHS) across England as part of the Three year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services, and has recently published a national service specification and implementation guidance, which will aid local National Health Service commissioners in establishing them. A copy of the plan is attached.

As of February 2024, 19 integrated care boards (ICBs) have confirmed their PPHS is operational, while sustainable commissioning arrangements are in place across 17 ICBs.

The National Bereavement Care Pathway (NBCP) for Pregnancy and Baby Loss was launched with Departmental funding in 2017. Based on nine standards, it is a dedicated evidence-based care pathway, with guidance for professionals providing bereavement care to parents and families. Ensuring parent voice is at the heart of the NBCP's development, Sands has led on its development and implementation. As of January 2024, 126 NHS trusts in England with maternity services have voluntarily committed to adopting the nine NBCP standards.