Evaluating the Government response to the House of Lords inquiry into preterm birth: A commentary on the gaps in maternal mental healthcare

Abstract

Preterm birth is a significant public health concern. In England, 8.1% of all births in 2023 were classified as premature. The psychological impact of preterm birth on parents has become of increasing interest to researchers. However, the long-term psychological impact on preterm babies, the effect prematurity has on wider family units, and the effect of working with preterm babies on healthcare professionals remains under investigated. Preterm birth remains the leading cause of neonatal death in the UK, but with improvements in survival rates of extremely preterm infants, and their associated short- and long-term developmental challenges, mothers and the wider family can experience profound psychological difficulties, particularly postpartum anxiety.

In 2017, the UK Government aimed to reduce both the rate of preterm birth to 6% by 2025 – and its associated adverse consequences. In 2024, the House of Lords commissioned an inquiry into the incidence and impact of preterm birth, to identify priority areas for research and clinical intervention. This report, published in November 2024, confirmed that the government’s targets are not on track, and made numerous recommendations. In January 2025, the UK Government responded. This commentary critically assesses the governmental response to Recommendation 7, regarding equitable access to neonatal outreach and perinatal mental health services for all families who experience preterm birth.