More support from the NHS for women with PND, miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of their baby pledged

A recruitment drive is taking place to get more health visitors into local communities. This is in a bid to identify and help new mothers with postnatal depression (PND).

More support from the NHS for women with PND, or those who have suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of their baby has been pledged by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.

The extra health visitors – who already provide services for pre and postnatal parents – will be given specialist training to help them spot the early signs of postnatal depression.

As well as health visitors, the government has promised that every women will have one-to-one midwife care during labour and birth.

The improvement in services for families is to be made possible by investment and reform of NHS services over the coming years.

Andrew Lansley said “No woman should have to cope with postnatal depression without help and support. The changes we are putting in place today will mean that the NHS is providing even more support to women who have this serious condition.

“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.”

Co-founder of Mumsnet, Justine Roberts comments: “Sadly there are many experiences shared on Mumsnet of women not getting the best care when they need it, whether post-natally in hospital, after a miscarriage or still birth, or when battling post-natal depression. Today’s announcement of renewed focus from the government is a positive step but a sustained effort is needed to ensure Mums benefit from these changes locally.”