Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of expanding perinatal services in the community, including increasing provision of (a) specialist perinatal mental health services and (b) support for women with moderate, severe or complex needs.

Significant progress has been made across England in recent years, as specialist perinatal mental health services are now available in all areas in England. In addition, Maternal Mental Health Services provide specialist care for women with moderate/severe or complex mental health conditions arising from birth trauma, tokophobia, or loss in the maternity/neonatal context.

In the 12-month rolling period ending May 2026, 66,580 people were in contact with specialist perinatal mental health community services. This is a 3% increase on the same period in 2025, in which 64,789 people were in contact with specialist perinatal mental health community services. However, we know there is work to do to ensure all women receive timely access to the care they need.