NCT Watch

Ms Chuilin asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the provision and support his department is providing for pregnant women who are experiencing (i) mental illness; and (ii) personality disorder.

Mr M McGimpsey replied that “many pregnant women with ongoing mental illness or personality disorders will already be known to services and be receiving care, either at the primary care level or from specialist mental health services. These established care arrangements should continue throughout her pregnancy, and should be provided in co-operation with those delivering her maternity care.

For those women who, during their pregnancy, develop, or exhibit for the first time, a mental health problem, I would expect midwives and obstetricians to recognise that there is a potential mental health issue and that established liaison arrangements should be in place to enable them to quickly contact an appropriate source for advice, support and, where necessary, specialised treatment.”