A parliamentary committee has criticised a lack of mental health care and support for new and expectant mothers, warning the problem is particularly acute in the north of Scotland.

A report from the Scottish parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee says many women have been left unsupported during the pandemic despite cases of post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth having risen sharply.

It said there were “significant inconsistencies” in access to Mother and Baby Units (MBUs), which support new mothers with complex needs.

The committee goes on to say additional spending on specialist community perinatal services has not translated into extra capacity and there are still no services that directly address birth trauma.

Up to 20% of women in Scotland are affected by mental health problems during pregnancy or the first year of their baby’s life.

The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee launched a short inquiry in October 2021 to explore opportunities to improve perinatal mental health services and better understand the impact of covid-19 on access.

In findings published today, it says there is a “strong and compelling” case for a new MBU for the north of Scotland.

Two existing regional 6-bed mother and baby units (MBUs) in Glasgow and Lanarkshire, provide in-patient care, but the inquiry found different commissioning arrangements mean access is inconsistent.

Plans to increase capacity are underway, the Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care told the committee, and a public consultation is expected in early 2022.

However, a lack of clear national training routes in perinatal psychiatry and a shortage of specialist midwives will make the adequate staffing and resourcing of a new centre challenging.

NHS Grampian and the north of Scotland face particular challenges: with the closest MBU in Glasgow and maternity services at Doctor Gray’s Hospital in Elgin being downgraded, mothers face 60-mile journeys to access support.

Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East MSP and convenor of the health and care committee, said:

“We think there is a strong case to set up a new Mother and Baby Unit serving the north of Scotland but we also need to focus on issues around staffing, resources and general awareness to maximise the positive impact of perinatal mental health services and third sector organisations who support mothers."

The committee found statutory services often had longer waiting times compared to those in the third sector. But funding for charities was found to be ‘short term, unsustainable and fragile’ despite the vital role they play, with experts warning many projects could be at risk.

Following evidence from new mothers and experts, the committee called for the Scottish government to ensure perinatal mental health services are fully accessible to all bereaved parents.

Women who had experienced miscarriage or baby loss are particularly vulnerable to mental health difficulties however there is a “fundamental gap” in services and no dedicated baby loss unit will open until 2024 – a wait the committee has said is ‘unacceptable’.

Ms Martin MSP added: “The extensive evidence we have gathered during the course of this inquiry has shown the importance of a preventative and community-based approach to perinatal mental health.

“It is clear that only through accessible, joined up care across both the third sector and statutory services, women and families can get the care they need at this critical time.”

Read more:  Maternity services face “chronic” staffing gaps; ‘Warning siren’ over new mums’ mental health; New mums mental health charities get funding boost

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