New information on mental health and maternity

19 Oct 2017 02:31 PM

Statistics on the use of mental health services by new and expectant mothers were published yesterday by NHS Digital.

The report includes the number and proportion of pregnant women and mothers with a child aged under 12 months who were in contact with secondary mental health services2 between 1 October 2016 and 31 March 2017.

This is the second time Exploratory Analysis: Women in contact with mental health services who were new or expectant mothers has been published3. It uses linked data from the Mental Health Services Dataset and the Maternity Services Dataset.

The information is published at national level and includes a breakdown by age group. It also expands on the previous analysis by providing figures on women accessing specialised perinatal mental health services and those in contact with other types of mental health services.

Read the report at: http://digital.nhs.uk/pubs/mhsfinjulprovaug17

Notes to editors

  1. NHS Digital is the national information and technology provider for the health and care system.  Our team of information analysis, technology and project management experts create, deliver and manage the crucial digital systems, services, products and standards upon which health and care professionals depend.  During the 2016/17 financial year, NHS Digital published 292 statistical reports. Our vision is to harness the power of information and technology to make health and care better. We provide 'Information and Technology for better health and care'. Find out more about our role and remit at www.digital.nhs.uk
  2. Perinatal mental health problems are those which occur during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child.
  3. The first publication of this exploratory analysis was in June - read the report here. The Community and Mental Health team at NHS Digital is publishing this analysis of the Mental Health Services Dataset to support work to improve access to specialist perinatal mental health support. NHS England has committed to fulfilling the ambition in the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health, so that by 2020/21 there will be increased access to specialist perinatal mental health treatment in all areas of England, allowing at least an additional 30,000 women each year to receive support. This will be done through a five-year transformation programme led by a national board, which involves key partners including NHS Digital.
  4. For media enquiries, please contact media@nhsdigital.nhs.net or telephone 0300 30 33 888.