Source · Select Committees · Petitions Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Rejected
Free dental care is an important benefit that most pregnant and new mothers have been...
Recommendation
Free dental care is an important benefit that most pregnant and new mothers have been unable to access as the result of the pandemic. The Government should extend maternity dentist provision for new and expectant mothers affected by the pandemic for at least six months, so new mothers have the opportunity to access this important benefit. (Paragraph 59) Parental mental health
Government Response Summary
The government rejects extending free maternity dental provision for new and expectant mothers, stating it has no plans to extend existing charge exemptions at this time, while noting routine dentistry has restarted.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The Government recognises that parents play a key role in children and young people’s mental health. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. DHSC has also adapted the ‘Every Mind Matters platform’ to include advice on looking after children and young people during the pandemic. This includes specific advice on looking after your own mental health and wellbeing as an essential aspect of being able to support others. In these challenging times, we want parents to be able to seek the help they need. NHS mental health services have remained open throughout the pandemic, operating digitally where possible. Most providers are now also offering 24/7, all-age crisis lines for urgent mental health support We remain committed to improving perinatal mental health services for new mothers and their partners—not only during the current pandemic. From April 2019, new and expectant mothers have been able to access specialist perinatal mental health community services in every part of the country. NHS England has expanded the capacity of inpatient Mother and Baby units, which support women with serious mental health issues, keeping them together with their babies. The NHS’ Long Term Plan includes a commitment for a further 24,000 women to be able to access specialist perinatal mental health care by 2023/24, building on the additional 30,000 women who will access these services each year by 2020/21 under pre- 14 The impact of Covid-19 on maternity and parental leave: Government Response existing plans. Specialist care will also be available from preconception to 24 months after birth, which will provide an extra year of support. The Government is working on increasing access to support so that partners of expectant and new mothers who are seriously unwell will be offered a range of help such as peer-support, behavioural couples therapy sessions and other family and parenting interventions.