GPs and their staff should ensure they assess the mental health of all women who have recently given birth, according to draft guidelines published today.
Clinicians should look out for symptoms that may be confused with normal problems for pregnant and post-natal women, according to the proposals from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
These include sleeping problems and changes to appetite, the draft guidance says.
NICE says staff should ensure symptoms are not "missed or mistaken," warning that up to 20% of women experience depression or anxiety in the first year after childbirth.
And it calls for clinical commissioning groups to monitor the data they collect on how many women receive a comprehensive mental health assessment during or after pregnancy, using it to identify variations in care.
The proposal is one of several indicators under consideration by NICE. GPs would be expected to report that they have conducted the mental health assessments if the proposal was adopted. Others involve care of patients with autism and cervical cancer screening.
The indicators in the past have been used as part of the Quality and Outcomes Framework, used for performance-related pay for practices. But, under pressure from GPs, the government is scaling back the use of QOF.
However NICE says clinical commissioning groups will face assessment based on its indicators.
GP Dr Andrew Black, who helped draw up the guidelines, said: “GPs play a vital role in helping vulnerable people to get the correct diagnosis and the support they need.
“These indicators, put forward by NICE, could help GPs to identify and support their patients who are most at risk. This can only be a good thing.”
The National Childbirth Trust welcomed the proposals.
Elizabeth Duff, from the trust, said: "Our research found that nearly a third (29%) of new mums said their GP did not ask them about any emotional or mental health issues during their six-week postnatal check-up.
“Mental health problems can have a devastating effect on the whole family if left untreated. No new mum should fall through the net at such a crucial time."
Leave a Reply