Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the need for perinatal mental health services with reference to the covid-19 outbreak.

No formal assessment has been made.

All specialist and inpatient perinatal mental health services have remained open during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions delivering digital and remote support. Since 1 April 2020, general practitioners are required to offer a maternal postnatal consultation at six to eight weeks after birth, focusing on a review of the mother’s physical and mental health and general wellbeing. This service has also continued throughout the pandemic.