The Liberal Democrats have pledged to boost mental health services, particularly for new mothers.

The manifesto policy promises a transformation in mental health support for pregnant women, new mothers, and those who have experienced miscarriage or stillbirth.

Party leader Jo Swinson has said the Lib Dems if elected will ensure every new mother gets a dedicated maternal postnatal appointment and will introduce other measures to tackle maternal mental health problems.

The party has also committed to treating mental health with the same urgency as physical health, increasing access to clinically-effective couselling and increasing the number of psychiatrists and specialist mental health practitioners. 

In addition, the party has pledged to focus on children’s services, eating disorders, and bipolar disorders, and to provide 24-hour mental health services in all hospitals.

On its website the Liberal Dems stated: “We will raise £7 billion a year from a 1p in the pound rise in income tax, and earmark it to relieve the crisis in social care, tackle workforce shortages, and invest in mental health and prevention services.”

It added: “We have set out a bold, new vision for how we improve mental health support for everyone. We will build a better future for those suffering from mental health issues and their families.”