# Child and maternal health challenges in UK and Ireland > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/child-and-maternal-health-challenges-in-uk-and-ireland > Updated: 2026-10-11T23:27:46.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 5. Health outcomes for children and mothers in the UK and Ireland have shown signs of decline. In Northern Ireland, infant mortality rates reached 4.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, the highest in the UK. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health linked this to political instability, service pressure, and rising inequalities, alongside declining MMR vaccination rates and increasing childhood obesity. In Ireland, specific concerns have emerged regarding maternal mental health. Advocates have highlighted a lack of dedicated mother and baby psychiatric units, noting that mothers requiring inpatient care must currently be separated from their infants. Subsequent reports indicate that Ireland’s Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services (SPMHS) are facing an access crisis. Wait times for women in crisis can exceed one month, and some hospitals have tightened acceptance criteria, claiming current care levels are “no longer sustainable.” This has led to patients being redirected to general practitioners rather than receiving specialized psychiatric care. An ongoing investigation into Ireland’s perinatal mental health services is now examining the availability, organization, and accessibility of support for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and postpartum psychosis. The scrutiny follows reports that SPMHS is struggling to meet increased demand. Furthermore, infrastructure delays persist; the location for Ireland’s first dedicated mother and baby psychiatric unit remains undecided after nearly a decade. Recent staffing constraints have further impacted these services. Portiuncula University Hospital in Galway and Regional Hospital Portlaoise in Laois are currently not providing specialist mental health services for pregnant women and new mothers. Additionally, five other regional hospitals are operating at reduced capacity, working only four days a week, creating gaps in the SPMHS model intended to support women experiencing moderate to severe depression. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-11: Mental health services face expansion in Namibia and staffing shortages in Ireland Namibia plans to expand mental health units and funding by 2037, while Ireland faces staffing shortages in maternal mental health services at several maternity hospitals. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mental-health-services-face-expansion-in-namibia-and-staffing-shortages-in-ireland ### 2026-09-26: Ireland perinatal mental health services under investigation An investigation into Ireland's perinatal mental health services reveals long wait times, tightening service criteria, and a decade-long delay in establishing a dedicated mother and baby psychiatric unit. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ireland-perinatal-mental-health-services-under-investigation ### 2026-09-25: Ireland investigates delays in mother and baby unit An investigation has been launched in Ireland into delays affecting a mother and baby unit, raising concerns regarding access to specialized perinatal mental health services. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ireland-investigates-delays-in-mother-and-baby-unit ### 2026-09-21: Ireland perinatal mental health services face access crisis Ireland’s perinatal mental health services are under strain, with investigations showing long wait times and tightened eligibility criteria for mothers seeking specialist support during and after pregnancy. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ireland-perinatal-mental-health-services-face-access-crisis ### 2026-09-06: Child and maternal health concerns rise in Northern Ireland and Ireland Reports highlight rising infant mortality in Northern Ireland and a critical shortage of mother and baby psychiatric units in Ireland, signaling growing challenges in regional child and maternal health. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/child-and-maternal-health-concerns-rise-in-northern-ireland-and-ireland --- Cite as: Child and maternal health challenges in UK and Ireland. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/child-and-maternal-health-challenges-in-uk-and-ireland