Full Breakdown
Call for Improved Access to Mother and Baby Units in Yorkshire
3/9/2026, 6:56:59 AM
The Core Issue: Access to Specialist Care
Lizzy Berryman, a 30-year-old mother from York, is advocating for better access to mother and baby units (MBUs) after experiencing a mental health crisis that required her to travel 90 miles for emergency care. Four days postpartum, Berryman was sectioned under the Mental Health Act due to postpartum psychosis, a severe condition characterized by hallucinations and paranoia. She was transported to a facility in Derby, as there were no available beds in Yorkshire's only MBU located in Leeds.
Background: The Need for Specialized Care
Postpartum psychosis can be life-threatening and often necessitates specialized care. NHS data indicates that approximately 100 women from Yorkshire have been sent to MBUs outside their local area over the past five years, with some traveling as far as London and Birmingham. The Leeds MBU, which currently has eight beds and is set to expand to 14, is often overwhelmed by demand. This situation has led to what Aylesbury MP Laura Kyrke-Smith describes as a "postcode lottery," where access to care varies significantly by location.
Key Figures: Advocates for Change
Berryman, who has since fully recovered and returned to work, has become a vocal advocate for increasing the number of MBUs across the country. She emphasized the emotional toll of being separated from her family during her treatment, stating, "If I'd been near York I could have seen friends and family and started integrating back into real life." Dr. Jessica Heron, CEO of Action on Postpartum Psychosis, supports this view, noting that women without access to MBUs are often admitted to general psychiatric units, which are not suitable for new mothers.
Official Responses and Initiatives
In response to the growing concerns, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated that women experiencing severe mental illness after childbirth should receive prompt, compassionate care close to home. They acknowledged the increased demand for mental health services and announced an additional £688 million in funding for mental health initiatives this financial year, including hiring nearly 8,000 new mental health workers.
NHS England in North East and Yorkshire clarified that MBUs are specialized services designed to provide high-quality care, emphasizing that the current model aims to ensure consistent and safe treatment across the region.
Criticism of Current Access
Despite these assurances, critics argue that the existing system is inadequate. Berryman's experience highlights the emotional and logistical challenges faced by families when access to specialized care is limited. The disparity in available services has led to calls for a more equitable distribution of MBUs, as the current situation leaves many women vulnerable during a critical time in their lives.
What's Next: Future Developments
The ongoing advocacy for improved access to MBUs is expected to continue, with stakeholders pushing for policy changes that would facilitate the establishment of more units across the country. As the conversation around maternal mental health evolves, the hope is that future mothers will have better access to the specialized care they need.
Verbatim Quotes
- "It's lit a fire in me to get the word out there that this is a problem and that it is so needed, because there are so many families torn apart." — Lizzy Berryman, Advocate
- "The statistics sadly remain that suicide is the leading cause of death for women from six weeks to a year after giving birth, which is shocking and appalling." — Laura Kyrke-Smith, MP
- "In places where people can't access MBUs we know they're likely to be admitted to a general psychiatric unit and that's totally inappropriate for newly delivered mothers." — Dr. Jessica Heron, CEO of Action on Postpartum Psychosis
