17.05.12
Increased support for post-natal depression
A new Government strategy aims to provide personalised support for mothers giving birth, with particular focus on those who suffer postnatal depression, miscarriage or stillbirth. The strategy includes one-to-one care during labour with a named midwife.
Health workers will also receive more training to be able to spot the early signs of postnatal depression, which can affect 10-15% of mothers.
The plans were welcomed by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and parenting groups.
Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the RCM, said: “These are positive plans from the government targeting areas of maternity care that are under-prioritised and under-resourced.
“The impact of a miscarriage or a stillbirth can be devastating for the woman and her family and postnatal depression can be a crippling and sometimes fatal illness. Early detection and treatment is crucial.
“It is also excellent to see an intention to ensure that long-standing NHS commitments, such as one-to-one care in labour and choice about where and how women give birth, become a reality for all women.”
Health secretary Andrew Lansley, said: “We have listened to the concerns of women about their experiences of maternity care, which is why we are putting in place a ‘named midwife’ policy to ensure consistency of care.
“Not least, we will focus on the quality of care given to mothers-to-be and measure women's experience of their maternity care for the first time.”
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