Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will implement the recommendations of the National Childbirth Trust's report, The Hidden Half - bringing postnatal mental illness out of hiding, published in June 2017.

This Government remains committed to improving perinatal mental health services for women during pregnancy and in the first postnatal year, so that women are able to access the right care at the right time and close to home.

General practitioners (GPs) are required to provide appropriate ongoing treatment and care to all their registered patients including advice in connection with the person’s health, relevant health promotion advice and referral for other services.

Women should have a postnatal check with their GPs six-eight weeks after their baby’s birth to make sure they feel well and are recovering properly in terms of both their physical and mental health.