On 21 May 2020 at 9.30am the Petitions Committee have scheduled a virtual evidence session on the urgent crisis of maternal mental health in lockdown and the impact of the virus on access to childcare. The session is scheduled to take place this Thursday during Mental Health Awareness Week. The event will see MPs question experts on these crucial issues as the UK enters its 9th week since lockdown began. This latest evidence session follows a recent session on a petition to extend maternity leave by three months with pay in light of COVID-19. The hearing will see the Committee take evidence from experts including Dr Trudi Seneviratne from the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Chief Executive of the Early Years Alliance, Neil Leitch. The evidence sessions come following growing public concern about the impact of coronavirus. In recent months, a series of parliamentary petitions relating to the outbreak have received more than 3.6 million signatures. Catherine McKinnell MP, Chair of the Petitions Committee, said: “The Petitions Committee is taking further evidence this week on the threat of Coronavirus and its impact on pregnant women and new mothers, particularly on their mental health. “This Mental Health Awareness Week, we must all take a moment to consider how this cruel virus targets the most vulnerable in our society. “My Committee is determined to continue to investigate the impact COVID-19 is having on all communities. As Members of Parliament, we will continue to collect evidence, press for answers, and scrutinise the Government’s response as our country continues to fight this pandemic.” Thursday’s evidence hearing comes just weeks after a the Petitions Committee held an initial evidence session looking at how Coronavirus has impacted maternity leave and pay. Committee Members heard from Psychology Professor Elizabeth Meins from the University of York on how COVID-19 has affected those on maternity leave. The Committee also heard from petition co-creators James Zammit-Garcia and Jessie Zammit, and from Bethany Power who signed the petition. The full list of witnesses for Thursdays session is: - Neil Leitch – Chief Executive of Early Years Alliance - Josie Anderson – Campaigns and Policy Manager for Bliss - Sue Armstrong Brown - Chief Executive of Adoption UK - Dr Trudi Seneviratne – Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Faculty of Perinatal Psychiatry - Representative from the Maternal Mental Health Alliance – witness TBC
Tags: Covid-19 , coronavirus
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