Question reference: S5W-28902
- Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 6 May 2020
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Current status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 18 May 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to (a) pregnant women and (b) new mothers in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, and how services are linking up to ensure that (i) perinatal mental health is being prioritised and (ii) a message is relayed to mothers regarding how to seek any help that they might require.
Answer
Staying at home for a prolonged period of time can be difficult, frustrating and lonely for some people. Health visitors, midwives or GPs are the best sources of advice and should be contacted if pregnant women or new mothers feel they are struggling emotionally or if they have any concerns about their mental wellbeing and wellbeing.
The Scottish Government has produced two leaflets providing information on pregnancy, maternity care and care of a new baby during the COVID-19 outbreak. These are being distributed to all pregnant women and parents of new born babies via their midwife/health visitor.
In August 2019 we announced £225,000 for services to support new mums at risk of poor mental health, which was to help ‘build the third sector’. This was extended for a further five months in 2020 to provide continuation of services and to plan for scaling up and expansion in the next financial year. These organisations are being supported to work within Covid-19 limitations.
The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Fund was launched in May 2020 and will provide funding from August 2020 through to March 2023 of up to £1 million per year. The fund is open to third sector organisations working to support and promote perinatal and infant mental health in Scotland.
To increase awareness of available services, an online digital directory of Perinatal and Infant Mental Health services has been created. The primary audience is midwifes and health visitors however the tool can also be used by parents. The directory can be accessed here: https://www.inspiringscotland.org.uk/perinatal-mental-health-services/
Up to date information is also on NHS Inform, Ready Steady Baby, Parent Club and Clear Your Head sites. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) also issue guidance for women and for professionals, including information about perinatal and infant mental health during Covid-19.
Antenatal classes have been paused in most Health Board areas. To ensure that all pregnant women across Scotland continue to have access to antenatal information and advice, the Scottish Government has purchased a 6 month licence for the Solihull Approach online antenatal course. The course is free to access, provides expectant parents with practical information about pregnancy and birth and covers all of the information given in a traditional face to face antenatal class. This includes support on managing emotions and relaxation strategies.
The course went live online last month and has been well received by both pregnant women and midwives.