Preconception care strategy

That this House concurs with the World Health Organisation (WHO) that preconception preparation enables the healthy pregnancy and confident parenthood that addresses the transmission of disparities in life chances across the generations; recognises that providing educational, biomedical, behavioural and social health interventions for young people, women and prospective parents prior to conception is of fundamental importance in improving pregnancy outcomes and children’s subsequent physical and mental health, development, resilience and educational aptitude; understands that the importance of preconception care is accepted by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities within the Department for Health and Social Care; congratulates the UK Preconception Partnership for working across health, education and charitable sectors to normalise preconception preparations for a healthy pregnancy and parenthood and Children’s Alliance for recommending the benefits in its Guide: Children’s Health and Wellbeing, Reversing the Damage; and calls upon the Government to ensure that integrated preconception care is available to all people in the UK and prioritised in policy content across every Government Department