Left unchecked: why maternal mental health matters - a Berkshire West perspective

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Summary of report content

Healthwatch Reading, Healthwatch West Berkshire and Healthwatch Wokingham Borough conducted a survey along the same lines as Healthwatch England’s 2022 survey on maternal mental health.  26 people responded.

Care and support provided is having an impact on mental health. Nearly two in five respondents  experienced negative impacts on their mental health due to the care and support they received during labour and childbirth. This compares to 42% nationally.

Mental health is not routinely discussed at postnatal checks. Nearly half the survey respondents said that mental health was either not mentioned or not discussed enough at their postnatal check. This compared to 22% nationally.

Care is inconsistent for pre and postnatal mental health difficulties. Over half the respondents from experienced mental health difficulties. One third of these people were not offered information or a referral.

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General details

Local Healthwatch
Healthwatch Reading
Healthwatch West Berkshire
Healthwatch Wokingham
Publication date
Date evidence capture began
Date evidence capture finished
Type of report
Report
Key themes
Caring, kindness, respect and dignity
Communication with patients; treatment explanation; verbal advice
Consent, choice, user involvement and being listened to
Lifestyle and wellbeing; wider determinants of health

Methodology and approach

Was the work undertaken in partnership with another organisation?
No
Primary research method used
Survey
If an Enter and View methodology was applied, was the visit announced or unannounced?
N/A

Details of health and care services included in the report

Details of health and care services included in the report
Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) and specialist MH services
Maternity care

Details of people who shared their views

Number of people who shared their views
26
Age group
Not known
Gender
Women
Is the gender identity of people in the report the same as the sex they were assigned at birth?
Not known
Sexual orientation
Not known
Types of long term conditions
Mental health condition
Does this report feature carers?
No
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