NEWS mental health services for new mothers are to be re-introduced in Wales has been welcomed by a Gwent AM.

There is currently no in-patient perinatal mental health ward in Wales, meaning mothers with psychiatric problems are forced to go to England and face being separated from their children, after the only unit in the country was closed in 2013.

But, as part of a deal between Labour and Plaid Cymru, a commitment to provide these services was included in the Welsh Government's draft budget for 2018-2019, which was revealed earlier this week.

South Wales East AM Steffan Lewis has campaigned for perinatal mental health services in Wales, welcomed the news.

"For the small number of women who require inpatient treatment for severe postnatal depression or perinatal psychosis, the lack of a specialist unit in Wales meant an impossible choice - be separated from their baby for treatment in a psychiatric unit in Wales, travel with their babies to be treated in England and be separated from their partners and families, or try to make do with community based support at home that is not adequate to treat more severe mental illness," he said.

"The situation has been a scandal.

"Women have not received the care they need to get better or the support necessary to give their babies the best possible start in life."

The Plaid Cymru AM added: "The experience of women in Wales should not depend on the availability of beds in the English NHS."

The draft budget is currently out to consultation and will be finalised in December.