The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed a new NHS England initiative that allows women to use an online tool to refer themselves to their local maternity services – cutting out the need to see a GP first. 

It aims to speed up access to crucial booking in appointments and has already been used by 60,000  women since the online tool was first rolled out in March. With over three-quarters of NHS Trusts in England now connected to the service, thousands more families will be able to meet their midwife earlier and start their pregnancy care without delay. 

But the RCM is calling on NHS England to be clear that the initiative must not widen inequalities, as not all women will have easy access to smartphones and technology. There are also concerns that those with visual impairment, and women whose first language isn’t English, will be at a disadvantage. 

Abbie Aplin, Director of Maternity Improvement and Partnerships at the RCM, said: 

“Giving women more control and more agency over their care during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period can only be a good thing. Midwives are best placed to support women to make informed choices about their care, so the earlier the better in terms of access.  

“We do have to be mindful, though, of those who don’t have easy access to smartphones and technology. We already see significant inequalities of outcome for women living with social deprivation so the NHS needs to ensure that those gaps aren’t widened yet further.” 

Early contact with a midwife is vital to identify high risk pregnancies, arrange essential antenatal screenings and build a trusted, personalised relationship between midwives, pregnant women and their families. 

Abbie added: 

“Accessibility means access for everyone, not just those with the right technology. Every woman and family deserve to have a happy, safe and healthy maternity experience. We need a system that works equally well for women in every community.” 

ENDS  

To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk  

Notes to Editors  

• The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team.  We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team