Petition for Downing Street PDF Print E-mail

This petition has now closed
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Post-Natal/ 
for the Prime Minister to arrange
for more and a higher standard of services for women
and their families affected by post natal illness.

As you know, I was very ill after my pregnancy with Dominic and now spend my time speaking about my experiences to an increasing range of audiences, following the publication of my book ‘Eyes without Sparkle – a journey through postnatal illness’. Part of my aim is to reduce the stigma around mental illness and offer hope but also I campaign for better services and facilities for those affected by this awful illness.  The web-based forum www.pni.org.uk , of which I am patron, has put together a petition for Downing Street – if we get 200+ signatures it will be read by Gordon Brown.

Let’s see if we can smash this target and get a real call for action! Currently services in the UK provided by the NHS are not up to the guidelines submitted by NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence), putting lives at risk and prolonging the suffering of many. www.pni.org.uk are asking that the following basic principals should be put in place to help women and their families who are deeply affected by Post Natal Illness to recover swiftly and fully:

* A dedicated Health Visitor from each area in the UK to follow up any referrals
   from GP
* Support groups on an informal basis to take the pressure off mums who may be
   suffering confidence with the opportunity to incorporate a buddy system.
* Funds made for community groups to be set up with the support of a Health   
   Visitor/Community Psychiatric Nurse or other trained professional.
* Faster follow up counselling than is currently available.
* Shorter waiting lists for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and other therapies
* A specifically trained individual on Post Natal Illness to operate in each Primary
   Care Trust.
* Correspondence for all mums with a Health Visitor until the child reaches the
   age of 5.
* More funding for charities supporting women and their families suffering Post
   Natal Illness
* Dedicated support for the father and families affected by the mother suffering
   Post Natal Illness.