Pregnant women and mothers dealing with depression would be given specialist treatment in 40 new community outreach centres, under plans to be included in the Liberal Democrat manifesto.

Nick Clegg announced that the party would commit to spending £3.5bn more over the next parliament on mental health care in England.

This would include £250m for eight new mother and baby units, providing inpatient care for pregnant women and new mums and 40 new community services helping mothers adjust to life at home with a new-born.

The Liberal Democrats would also introduce the first waiting time standards for people suffering from mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder – similar to those which exist for physical illnesses.

This will include a waiting time standard from referral of no more than six weeks for therapy for depression or anxiety and a two-week wait standard for all young people experiencing a first episode of psychosis.