Six week health check up not assessing mothers

New research from the NCT charity has found that new mothers are still not being asked about their mental health despite GP practices in England now being funded to do so.

The UK’s leading charity for parents found that of the new mothers surveyed: 25 per cent are not being asked about their emotional or mental health at their six-week routine GP check-up; 85 per cent said the appointment was focused mainly or equally on the baby’s health; contrary to the terms of the new GP contract a year ago, only 15 per cent of the mothers had an appointment that was focused on their own health and well-being; and a quarter still don’t feel comfortable to talk openly at these appointments about a physical or mental health problem.

Angela McConville, NCT chief executive, said: “We were delighted last year when the GP contract was changed so that mothers get a dedicated six week postnatal check to discuss their health, after we’d campaigned for this to happen with the support of so many women with lived experience. So it is extremely disappointing to find that only 15 per cent of new mothers are getting an appointment focused on their well-being and a quarter of mums are not being asked about their mental health at all.

“We realise GPs and other services have been working under immense pressure recently but the pandemic has had a huge impact on the wellbeing of many new mothers. This makes it even more important that mums’ postnatal health checks are prioritised. We urgently call on GPs to provide dedicated time and space for this crucial appointment.”