First 20 areas (England) to receive new specialist perinatal mental health community funds!

Following the launch by NHS England of the specialist perinatal mental health community service development fund in August (designed to support service development and increase the availability of high-quality care and interventions for women, their babies and families), the initial 20 areas receiving funding have been announced.

The MMHA Everyone’s Business campaign is delighted to see these 20 areas (covering 90 Clinical Commissioning Groups, CCGs) set to benefit from this first round of money released as part of the funding already pledged for specialist perinatal mental health services by the government in England.

We also call upon:

• All other areas in England to prepare 2017 / 18 applications (and to get in touch if we can be of any assistance). For the upcoming second wave of funding, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), NHS trusts, Foundation Trusts and Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) footprint areas can all apply
• Northern Ireland and Scotland governments to ensure plans are put in place (as in England and Wales) to ensure women and families across all parts of the UK can access specialist perinatal mental health services and that we collectively ‘Turn the Map Green’

If you would like support with your upcoming applications, please:

• Check out the MMHA (Mums and Babies in Mind) Toolkit for ideas and tips in developing specialist perinatal mental health services
• Contact the campaign for any further tips / advice – now is the time to be preparing the 2017 / 18 applications!