Working Together for Mothers and Babies: A Call for Action in the Next Parliament

As Scotland approaches its upcoming elections, it is vital that perinatal mental health is not overlooked. However, while mental health features across party pledges, perinatal mental health remains largely invisible, too often folded into broader commitments, rather than recognised as the specialist, life-changing care it is. This is deeply concerning when up to one in four women and birthing people will experience a mental health problem in pregnancy or the year after birth, and untreated perinatal mental illness can have devastating consequences for families.

While there has been progress with the development of specialist services in recent years, there is still variation in the care available leaving too many without the help they urgently need.

The current state of things

Unprecedented Scottish Government investment in perinatal mental health since 2019 led to the expansion of existing specialist Community Perinatal Mental Health Teams (CPMHTs) in three Health Boards and the creation of nine new services. This means many more women, babies, and families in Scotland can access and benefit from this critical care.

However, specialist perinatal mental health (PMH) care provision varies across Scotland. The Maternal Mental Health Alliance’s most recent mapping of specialist PMH services in the UK showed that only 2 of Scotland’s 14 Health Boards (Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and Lothian) met the UK-wide standards for the basic care that community perinatal mental health services need to provide. In both Health Boards, there is a multi-disciplinary specialist CPMHT and a Mother and Baby Unit (MBU). Those living in the North, particularly in remote and rural areas, do not have access to the same level of services.

What needs to happen next?

The Scottish Government’s dedicated Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Programme Board ended in 2023 and perinatal mental health has now been integrated into a much larger mental health portfolio spanning preconception, the perinatal period, parent-infant relationships, early years, children and young people, their families and carers.

At a time when there is substantial demand for mental health services, there is a real risk that the focus on PMH will weaken, and resources will be diverted to other services.

Sustained effort and investment in specialist PMH services is essential to ensure all women, babies and families receive this life-changing, and at times lifesaving, care wherever and whenever they need it.

The next Scottish Government must prioritise early and equitable access to high‑quality, compassionate perinatal mental health care, investing in workforce, training and accessible pathways so that no mum, baby or family falls through the cracks. The voices of those with lived experience must be central to shaping policy and services, ensuring that improvement is grounded in real needs and reflects the diversity of families affected.

Collaboration will be key. We need joined-up working across statutory and community services, alongside families themselves.

The next Scottish Government has an opportunity to build on the infrastructure and momentum already in place to build a system that truly meets the needs of women, birthing people and families across Scotland.