Mother's 90-Mile Trauma: Postpartum Psychosis Care Crisis

A new mother is advocating for improved access to specialist care units after a critical mental health crisis necessitated a 90-mile travel for emergency treatment. Lizzy Berryman, 30, experienced postpartum psychosis just four days after giving birth in 2024. Her condition led to her being sectioned and transported from York to Derby, a significant distance from her home.

Reports indicate that some women in Yorkshire have been sent as far as London for care at mother and baby units (MBUs) due to availability issues. Lizzy described her distress, stating, "I was soaked in my own urine because I'd been pushing as if I was giving birth again every time I was in psychosis." Her eight weeks of intensive treatment in Derby were costly for her family, impacting her husband's paternity leave and his ability to visit.

NHS data revealed that approximately 100 women from Yorkshire were sent to MBUs outside their local areas over the past five years. This situation has been described as a "postcode lottery," with a significant risk of suicide for women in the year following childbirth. The Leeds MBU, the only one in Yorkshire, is expanding from eight to 14 beds, but demand remains high.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the need for swift, compassionate care close to home. While local trusts decide on MBU locations, they highlighted the availability of perinatal services across England and an investment of an extra £688 million to expand mental health services. NHS England in North East and Yorkshire stated that their provider collaborative model supports consistent, high-quality care through a single, well-resourced unit in Leeds.