Women being failed by underfunded UK postnatal care, report warns

Women in the UK are being failed by a “dangerously underfunded and understaffed” postnatal care system, a new report has warned.

Thousands of new mothers feel unsafe, unsupported and overwhelmed in the weeks and months after birth, according to the National Childbirth Trust (NCT).

The report included a survey of 2,000 new and expectant parents across the UK, including 500 women who were pregnant at the time.

Angela McConville, chief executive of the NCT, said: “Every major report has shown that the UK’s maternity system is failing to provide safe, compassionate care.”

“Becoming a parent is rarely one-dimensional. It can be joyful, frightening, overwhelming and messy, often all at once, and that kaleidoscope of emotions is shaped profoundly by the care and support families receive.

“At one of the most vulnerable times in their lives, too many parents tell us they feel unsafe, unsupported and denied genuine choice.”

Almost a quarter, 24 per cent, said they did not have regular access to NHS staff in the weeks and months after birth.

Nearly nine in 10, 87 per cent, reported feeling overwhelmed at least some of the time, with 22 per cent always feeling overwhelmed. Meanwhile, 62 per cent reported feeling lonely sometimes, with 12 per cent saying they felt lonely all of the time.

More than half, 59 per cent, of pregnant women said they worried about their mental health.

Michelle Welsh, Labour MP for Sherwood Forest and chair of the all-party parliamentary group on maternity, said the NCT report was “deeply troubling”.

It confirmed what families and NHS staff had been telling the group for years, she added.

“Too many parents are being left without a safety net at one of the most important and vulnerable times of their lives,” she said.

“Feeling overwhelmed, isolated or unsafe should never be considered a normal part of pregnancy, birth or early parenthood.”

Last year, Wes Streeting, the health secretary, ordered a review into maternity and neonatal care (care for newborns) in England.

Led by Lady Valerie Amos, it is due to report this spring and covers 12 NHS trusts. Some families have called for a full statutory inquiry.

McConville said investment, staffing, training and accountability “must be prioritised to ensure every parent can feel confident, supported and heard”.

Responding to the report, the government said women should get the support they need in their baby’s first months of life and “stark inequalities” were “unacceptable”.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson added: “We expect all women to be offered a postnatal check-up with their GP at six to eight weeks after birth, which includes physical and mental health support.

“This government is taking urgent action to improve maternity services – launching a national maternity and neonatal investigation, which includes identifying the drivers of inequalities, investing over £130m to make maternity and neonatal units safer, rolling out a programme to reduce avoidable brain injuries, and backing Martha’s Rule.”