To ask the Minister of Health (i) for an update on the Regional Perinatal Mental Health Pathway; and (ii) for his assessment of whether it adequately addresses the long-term psychological impact of childbirth on women.

(i) Since becoming Health Minister, I have repeatedly stated that improving mental health services, including perinatal mental health, is one of my top priorities. I am delighted that all five Trusts now have a fully operational community perinatal mental health team in place, each accepting referrals and providing a range of interventions to women experiencing mental health problems during the perinatal period. Action 29a of the Mental Health Strategy 2021-31, made a commitment to continue to roll-out perinatal mental health services, including inpatient services. The first phase of this was the establishment of these perinatal mental health teams within each Trust.

I was delighted to launch the updated Perinatal Mental Health Care Pathway in March 2025 which has integrated the community perinatal mental health teams into the pathway of care. It provides guidance to all health and social care professionals who come into contact with women in the antenatal and postnatal period across all settings, inclusive of primary care.

(ii) The specialist perinatal mental health teams that are now operational in each Health and Social Care Trust provide a comprehensive service dedicated to treating illness in the mother alongside supporting and enhancing the relationship between the mother and her infant. The teams have a range of professionals with skills and expertise in this area, including parent infant psychotherapists, health visitors, midwives and psychologists. The new specialist teams support women up to one-year post childbirth (with some flexibility). At the point of discharge, referral on to other services, both statutory and voluntary, can be made if required.

Each team is already starting to see very positive outcomes from these interventions.

The teams are also involved in training initiatives with a wide range of professionals for those women who do not meet threshold for specialist services.

The second phase of this programme of work includes the delivery of a Mother and Baby Unit (MBU). Work is now at an advanced stage in developing a business case to progress the investment required to take this forward.