Catherine West MP meeting campaigners in Haringey in 2018 in support of the #HiddenHalf campaign
Catherine West MP meeting campaigners in Haringey in 2018 in support of the #HiddenHalf campaign

I’ve been a long time supporter of the NCT’s #HiddenHalf campaign calling for funding to ensure that every new mum in Hornsey & Wood Green gets a full postnatal check-up after having a baby.

I’ve raised the issue in Parliament, met with campaigners and local mums and asked repeated Parliamentary Questions so I’m delighted that NHS England has finally announced that all GP practices will receive funding for mothers to get a dedicated six week postnatal check up to discuss their health with a GP or healthcare practitioner. Up until now only the baby check has been funded.

NCT’s #Hidden Half campaign has called for this funding since its research revealed that nearly half of mothers’ postnatal mental health problems were not being picked up by healthcare professionals. Mums reported that whilst baby checks were routinely carried out, the maternal check was either not done at all or squeezed in at the end of the baby check appointment, resulting in a rushed conversation. Consequently, mothers reported not feeling comfortable disclosing mental health problems.

This is a big and much needed step forward.

 

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