AQW 24544/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 19/10/2021
Answered On Date: 25/03/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to outline the timescale under which pre-conception support and guidance will be put in place, including with reference to targeted support for women with long-term conditions or multiple vulnerabilities who require additional support.

Answer:

Pre-conception guidance at a population level is covered by population health messaging on tobacco, alcohol, drugs, physical activity, diet, sexual health checks, screening and immunisations.

Women with long term conditions or multiple vulnerabilities may require additional pre-conception support and guidance depending on their condition/s. Often this can be provided as part of the ongoing management and care of their particular condition to help ensure the best outcomes for mother and baby. Sometimes this support will be incorporated into their routine care and in other circumstances, a dedicated service will be made available. For example, each of the Trusts has a pre-pregnancy service for women with diabetes to optimise health before pregnancy. For those women with a history of perinatal mental health issues, the new specialist perinatal mental health teams will offer additional advice and support to those women planning a pregnancy. The nature of support and guidance will vary depending on the individual circumstances of the woman.