'Voices of women must be listened to say midwives on new report'
By RCM on 21 February 2017 Maternal Mental health RCOG - Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Women Pregnancy Midwives Healthcare Professionals Perinatal Mental Health
RCM comments on RCOG report ‘Maternal Mental Health – Women’s Voices’
Only seven percent (7%) of women suffering with mental health problems during or after pregnancy are refereed to specialist care, that’s according to survey results published today by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).
The report entitled Maternal Mental Health - Women’s Voices* has also been supported by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA). The survey results bring together the experiences of care women with mental health problems have received, their engagement with healthcare professionals and the quality of care they received.
The 2,300 women who were surveyed had all had given birth within the last 5 years and frequently reported that they had received inconsistent and conflicting advice from healthcare professionals.
Commenting, Janet Fyle Professional Policy Advisor at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) says; “The results of this survey from the RCOG are shocking and truly show the “post code lottery” of maternal mental health provision across England and Wales. Pregnancy is a time when women are trying to cope with becoming parents and are at their most vulnerable.
"Perinatal mental illness exerts the most unimaginable toll on women, their baby and families and if we don’t invest in maternal mental health services now as a matter of urgency it will cost society more in the long term. This is an economic decision that must be made
We cannot ignore the voices of the women in this survey, because they represent the many voices of women who suffer mental ill health in pregnancy and after. Their voices and experiences of care must be listened to as a matter of urgency.
“The RCM has consistently advocated for the provision of maternal mental services across the UK and in particular in the community, near where women live so that their condition can be monitored to prevent escalation. Currently the variations in the provision of care and delays in referrals often mean women can be waiting up to one year for treatment, this is completely unacceptable.
“The RCM believes that every Trust with maternity services should have a specialist maternal mental health midwife in post to work with community specialist teams to implement appropriate care pathways for women with pregnancy related mental health problems. The RCM has been focused on this issue along with its partners in the Maternal Mental Health Alliance to call for local specialist services and training for those who work with women and families.
“In November 2015, supported by the Department of Health, the RCM developed and published a standards framework for specialist Maternal Mental Health Midwives* to underpin and strengthen midwifery and maternity care for women whose pregnancy and post natal experience maybe complicated by mental health problems.
“Midwives play a central role in promoting the emotional well-being of women and their babies and in ensuring that all women with mental health concerns get appropriate and timely care. Unfortunately, we remain 3,500 midwives short in England and too few midwives means women are not getting the time they need with their midwife and often signs and symptoms of perinatal mental health issues can be missed.”
RCM: Caring for Women with Mental Health Problems Standards and Competency Framework for Specialist Maternal Mental Health Midwives
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For media enquiries, copies of the full report and access to case studies, please contact the RCOG press office on 020 7772 6444 or email pressoffice@rcog.org.uk
To contact the RCM Press Office call 020 7312 3456 or email pressofficer@rcm.org.uk.
The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/.