Antenatal and postnatal mental health

Diversity, equality and language

During the development of this quality standard, equality issues have been considered and equality assessments for this quality standard are available.

Good communication between health, public health and social care practitioners and women with a mental health problem planning or during pregnancy and in the year after giving birth is essential. Treatment, care and support, and the information given about it, should be culturally appropriate. It should also be accessible to women with additional needs such as physical, sensory or learning disabilities, and to people who do not speak or read English. Women should have access to an interpreter or advocate if needed.

Commissioners and providers should aim to achieve the quality standard in their local context, in light of their duties to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations. Nothing in this quality standard should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties.