Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether (a) the six-week maternal postnatal check is excluded from Maternity Medical Services under the General Medical Services contract and (b) GPs are not mandated or funded to provide that check.

The six-week maternal postnatal check is not currently included in the General Medical Services contract as something which general practitioners (GPs) are required, or funded, to provide. However, we have asked for this issue to be considered in the contract negotiations for 2019/20, as any changes to the contracting arrangements, and associated reimbursement need to be negotiated and agreed, as part of the annual contract negotiations.

While there is no specific requirement for GP practices to provide the six-week maternal postnatal check, GPs are still required to provide the usual services, set out in their contract, to that patient should the need arise.