Home / Health / Birth Trauma: £26M NHS Savings Missed
Birth Trauma: £26M NHS Savings Missed
10 Sep
Summary
- Routine PTSD screening for mothers could save NHS £26 million annually.
- One in 20 women suffer PTSD after childbirth, but less than half get support.
- Healthcare costs double for mothers with PTSD, impacting work return.
A new study highlights that routine post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening for expectant and new mothers could save the NHS approximately £26 million each year. Research from City, University of London, indicates that roughly one in 20 women experience clinical levels of PTSD following childbirth. alarmingly, fewer than half of these mothers are referred to essential mental health services.
The financial burden associated with maternal PTSD is significant, with healthcare costs for affected women being twice as high as for those without the condition. The full economic impact is likely underestimated, as PTSD can impede women's ability to return to work. One mother shared her inability to work due to fears for her baby's safety.
Experts urge the government to address the wider costs of birth trauma. Implementing routine PTSD screening during and after pregnancy, alongside enhanced training for healthcare staff to identify and manage the condition, is recommended. Unless proactive measures are taken, the high annual costs for maternal and infant healthcare services will persist.
