Mothers across Yorkshire and Humber report lack of consistent care during pregnancy and post-birth

Thursday, 27 February 2020 07:00

The NSPCC has found that only 8% of mothers in Yorkshire and the Humber could recall seeing the same health professional in the health reviews that take place during pregnancy and up to their child turning one, according to a recent YouGov poll.

The survey of mothers with children aged one to three revealed that as well as nearly one in five mums seeing a new person each time, almost a third had a letter, phone call or text message instead of a face-to-face visit, with 38% of mums stating their health professional didn’t establish a relationship where they could share concerns about their wellbeing.

Led by health visitors, all families in England are legally entitled to receive five check-ins from qualified health professionals via the Healthy Child Programme.

Andrew Fellowes, Public Affairs Manager at the NSPCC said: “We know that when parents experience poor mental health, as well as this having a detrimental impact on them it can seriously affect their child’s development too.

“The Healthy Child Programme provides a vital opportunity to pick up on perinatal mental health problems early and provide the necessary support for the whole family, but successive cuts to the public health grant mean local areas are struggling to provide the care they know people need.

“An investment of £700m in services for children under four will ensure every area of England is able to provide the standard of public health service all families are entitled to. This is essential if we are to guarantee mental health problems don’t slip under the radar.”

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