Posted By: Amy Tubb
9th May 2025
2 minute read
Analysis from the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) has revealed alarming plans to cut funding for perinatal mental health services across England, putting recent progress in maternal mental healthcare at significant risk. According to RCPsych’s findings, almost two-thirds of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) plan real-term funding cuts for 2024-2025, despite sustained demand for these critical services.
Since 2019, the NHS has made consistent strides toward meeting the Long Term Plan target of providing specialist mental healthcare to 66,000 mothers annually. By February 2025, a record 63,858 women were receiving this care. However, the College warns that these improvements could falter without prioritisation by the UK Government.
RCPsych estimates that 27 out of 42 ICBs (64%) plan to reduce perinatal mental health spending by a total of £3.6 million in real terms for the 2024-2025 period. The largest reductions are anticipated in Frimley ICB (-5.03%) and Norfolk and Waveney ICB (-4.91%). These cuts threaten to stall progress at a time when services are already operating at capacity.
Adding to the concern, the NHS Long Term Plan target for increasing access to perinatal mental healthcare has been omitted from the 2025/26 NHS Planning Guidance. This omission may lead to further funding diversions as commissioners reallocate resources under financial pressure.
Despite these challenges, 15 ICBs have planned funding increases for maternal mental health services, demonstrating a commitment to addressing the growing demand. However, broader systemic support is urgently needed to maintain and expand services.
Huge strides have been made towards improving access and we cannot afford to lose ground.
Dr Livia Martucci, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Faculty of Perinatal Psychiatry
Dr Livia Martucci, Chair of the RCPsych Faculty of Perinatal Psychiatry, emphasised the importance of sustaining investment in maternal mental health services, saying, “Despite record numbers accessing specialist maternal mental health services, the need for help continues to outstrip service capacity... The benefits of timely access to maternal mental health services are not only felt by mothers suffering with perinatal illness, but by their babies and their entire family network."
Baroness Berger, Chair of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA), echoed these concerns: "The Maternal Mental Health Alliance is deeply alarmed by the latest findings from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Our own economic research shows that investing in perinatal mental health services is not only a compassionate choice but an economically sound one. Failure to diagnose and treat perinatal mental illness causes suffering and costs the UK economy £8.1 billion a year."
Cuts to these vital services risks devastating human consequences. Mental health remains a leading cause of maternal death. Without continued investment and commitment to protect the specialist services that exist, these tragedies will persist.
Baroness Berger
The MMHA supports RCPsych's call on the UK Government to reinforce its commitment to perinatal mental health, including:
As demand for perinatal mental health services remains as high as ever, the MMHA stresses that continued investment is essential to save lives, and secure long-term benefits for society. It is not an added luxury.
