Expectant mothers in England can now book their first midwife appointment online without seeing a GP, in a nationwide move designed to save tens of thousands of GP consultations each year. The NHS England service, available via nhs.uk, allows women to self-refer to local maternity services “at the touch of a button”, according to officials.
The change aims to streamline the process of accessing maternity care, freeing GP time for other patients while ensuring pregnant women receive timely first appointments. NHS leaders have described the reform as both a time-saver for the health service and a way to empower women to take control of their pregnancy journey from the outset.
A Faster Route to First Maternity Appointments
Under the previous system, most women contacted their GP first, who would then make the referral to maternity services. While some local health bodies had already adopted online self-referral, only half of expectant mothers were using these systems directly, leading many to attend what NHS England described as “unnecessary” GP appointments.
The national rollout is expected to reduce around 180,000 calls to GP surgeries and cut up to 30,000 general practice appointments annually. According to NHS figures, only 62 per cent of first midwife appointments in 2023/24 took place within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy — a stage considered important for initial health checks and planning.
Women will still be able to consult a GP if they wish, and those with long-term health conditions will be encouraged to discuss any adjustments to their care plans with a doctor. NHS chief midwife Kate Brintworth said the initiative would make it easier for women to “book that all-important first maternity care appointment” and improve access to personalised care.
However, the system is not yet universal: around a quarter of local health bodies have yet to connect to the national platform. In these areas, self-referral will remain available through individual NHS trust websites.
Balancing Efficiency With Accessibility Concerns
Health officials say the reform will help relieve pressure on GP teams while giving mothers-to-be more control over their care. Dr Claire Fuller, NHS England’s national medical director, stressed that GPs remain available for pregnant women with concerns or complex health needs, but that in many cases they no longer need to be the first point of contact.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting described the update as a way to remove bureaucracy from early pregnancy care, calling the process “simple” and free of “endless phone calls or form-filling”.
The Royal College of Midwives welcomed the change but urged the NHS to address the risk of widening inequalities. Abbie Aplin, director of maternity improvement and partnerships, warned that some women — particularly those living in social deprivation — may not have reliable access to smartphones or the internet, and that support must be in place to ensure equal access.
