New online service allowing pregnant women to refer directly to maternity units will reduce GP workload

Responding to NHS England’s announcement that pregnant women can refer themselves directly to maternity services without seeing a GP first, Ruth Rankine, primary care director at the NHS Confederation, said:

“This is a very welcome step that will make it simpler for pregnant women to get their first midwife appointments as well as reducing the workload on general practice, which has been managing record levels of demand. 

“While there will always need to be the option for people to see their GP if they have additional needs such as language difficulties or learning disabilities, this announcement gives patients another route to access the care they need as part of the government’s ambition to move towards a digital NHS. 

“We already know the NHS App is becoming the first port of call for many patients and giving people more choices will allow them to take even more control of their healthcare.”