NEW and expectant mums will soon be able to access specialist mental health services following a funding announcement by NHS England.

In Lancashire a community team and an eight-bed mother and baby unit in Chorley will be available to patients later this year.

Until now there had been no specialist mental health services for new and expectant mums in the county.

But some £23m will now be spent on services in under-served parts of the country.

The new specialist community mental health team will offer psychiatric and psychological assessments and care for women with complex or severe mental health problems during the perinatal period – during pregnancy or in the first year after birth.

Staff can also provide advice for women with a current or past severe mental illness who are planning a pregnancy.

Teams will be made up of psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, nursery nurses and administrative staff.

The new community teams will work closely with existing services such as maternity services, health visiting, and other mental health teams as well as the mother and baby unit outreach service.

Dr Gillian Strachan, clinical lead for perinatal mental health at North West Coast Strategic Clinical Network, welcomed the announcement.

She said: “This additional £1.3million pound investment for specialist community perinatal mental health services will mean that women across Lancashire and South Cumbria will be able to access high quality services when and where they need it.

“We are determined to work in partnership across the region to make sure that women and babies are given the best start in life and this is a positive step towards that.

“It’s a much needed addition to the investment in the Cumbria and Lancashire mother and baby unit.”

Claire Murdoch, national mental health director for NHS England, said: “Mental ill health doesn’t discriminate.

It can happen to anyone at any time and it disrupts life not just for mums but the whole family, which is why we are absolutely committed to driving forward improvements in care and ensuring this important area of mental health continues to get the attention it deserves.”

Justine Roberts, Mumsnet founder and CEO said: "Extra provision in this crucial area is so important and we hope it makes a real difference in supporting pregnant women and new mothers.”

Figures show that one in five women will experience a mental health problem during their pregnancy and in the first year after birth, with depression and anxiety disorders being the most common.

As well as helping new mothers, newborns and their families, perinatal services, alongside other treatments for common mental illnesses like depression and anxiety, can play an important role in ensuring mental health is integrated into overall healthcare at the earliest possible stage of life.