UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – NHS launches online self-referral, bypassing GPs to improve early maternity care and free up tens of thousands of doctor appointments annually.
As reported by The Telegraph, pregnant women in England can now see a midwife without notifying their GP under a new NHS scheme.
How will the NHS’s new portal change midwife bookings?
Under a new NHS scheme, mothers-to-be can book their first midwife appointment online and choose a hospital trust without informing their GP.
In the past, expectant women informed their GP of their pregnancy before being referred for a midwife appointment. Local health bodies have expanded online self-referrals in recent years, yet only half of pregnant women have used them.
NHS England said the portal will allow women to self-refer via nhs.uk, providing faster access to initial appointments. They stated that the change could make 30,000 GP appointments available each year.
According to health officials, women may still see their GP if they choose, but those with ongoing medical issues should discuss care adjustments with a doctor.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting launched a “rapid national investigation” into maternity unit scandals linked to the deaths and harm of mothers and babies, with findings due in the coming months.
How many GP visits could the new NHS system save?
Official NHS data shows only 62% of first midwife appointments took place within 10 weeks of pregnancy in 2023-24. This is despite these appointments being deemed “vital.”
According to NHS England, the new online system is expected to result in 180,000 fewer GP calls each year. It could also reduce up to 30,000 GP appointments annually.
Nearly 25% of local health bodies remain outside the national system, meaning pregnant women in those areas must use local trust portals to self-refer.
What did Wes Streeting say about the new NHS midwife booking system?
Wes Streeting stated,
“Early pregnancy should be about joy and excitement – not wrestling with NHS bureaucracy to book a midwife appointment.”
He added,
“That’s why we’ve overhauled the online referral system. No more endless phone calls or form-filling. Just a simple online service that lets you book those crucial first appointments with a few clicks.”
What did Kate Brintworth say about the new booking tool?
Kate Brintworth, NHS chief midwife, stated,
“It’s so important that newly pregnant women get the support they need as soon as possible, so this new tool makes it easier than ever to book that all-important first maternity care appointment.”
She added,
“Making this process simpler at the touch of a button is a vital step in empowering women to take control of their pregnancy journey right from the very start and improving access to timely, personalised care.”
What did Dr Claire Fuller say about the new pregnancy booking tool?
Dr Claire Fuller, NHS England’s national medical director, stated,
“GPs are available for any pregnant women who have concerns about their pregnancy they need to discuss, or other health conditions that need monitoring, but in many cases, GP teams don’t need to be the first point of contact when someone finds out they’re pregnant.”
She added,
“This quick and easy tool can help ease pressure on practice teams, who won’t need to make the referral themselves, and by freeing up that time, there will hopefully be a benefit for other patients who are looking to make an appointment with their GP.”
What did Abbie Aplin say about the new NHS booking system?
Abbie Aplin, director of maternity improvement and partnerships at the Royal College of Midwives, stated,
“Giving women more control and more agency over their care during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period can only be a good thing.”
She said,
“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.”
Ms Aplin added,
“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.”
Key details about births in the UK and NHS staff
In Q1 2025, England recorded 140,933 births, Wales 6,671, and Scotland 11,431. While annual estimates hint at a slight increase from 2024’s 594,677 births.
The NHS in England employs 1.7 million people, including 1.5 million full-time roles. England has 3.2 doctors per 1,000 people, below the EU average of 3.9, with 7,700 doctor vacancies.
Britain has 748,528 registered nurses, but 46,828 NHS nurse vacancies, representing an 11.8% vacancy rate.