Applications are now open for a second wave of funding for specialist perinatal mental health community services in England. These specialist teams are vital to help end the postcode lottery women currently face when trying to access these much needed services.
From today Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) footprints can bid for some of the £23 million pot NHS England has made available to help local areas expand existing specialist community teams or develop a small new team.
The Everyone’s Business Campaign hopes all areas, which don’t have specialist community teams that meet the national quality standards, will submit a bid, as we know there are women throughout the UK who need to be able to access these services.
Clare Dolman, Vice-Chair of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance welcomed the funding news saying, “I hope as many areas as possible develop a bid. We want to see this new wave of funding help Turn The Map Green so that all women and their families receive the care they need wherever they live in the country.”
20 areas received money in 2016 as part of the first wave of funding and we have already started to see the results with services launching across the country. This second wave of money is part of NHS England’s commitment to fulfilling the ambition in the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health.
Dr Alain Gregoire, Chair of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance has written some top tips for commissioners to assist applications. This is a precious opportunity to make a difference for women who experience perinatal mental health problems to receive the care they and their families need.
Apply for Wave 2 funding here.
Please contact the Everyone’s Business campaign if you would like support with a bid info@everyonesbusiness.org.uk