New mothers to receive more support
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has announced new plans for maternity care, including a "named midwife" policy and measures to help health professionals to spot the early signs of post-natal depression (PND).
This is welcome news, given that the issue was flagged up as a grave cause for concern just last week by a NSPCC survey, showing how an estimated 2 in 5 new mothers are in desperate need of post-natal help.
Under the plans, health workers will be given enhanced training so they can spot the early signs of PND in new mothers.
Additionally women who have a miscarriage or stillbirth and parents who are forced to cope with the death of a baby will also be offered increased support from the NHS.
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. New mothers will receive one-to-one care from a named midwife during labour and birth as part of government plans to combat postnatal depression."