A new NHS England service will let newly-pregnant people self-refer online for their first midwife appointment by completing a simple form on NHS.uk.

Those expecting will therefore be able to bypass seeing a GP and refer themselves directly to an NHS trust of their choice, ensuring those pregnant receive personalised, timely care from the very start of their pregnancy.

First midwife appointments are crucial for arranging early antenatal screening, identifying high-risk pregnancies, and offering reassurance and support to women during the early stages of pregnancy. Recent NHS data shows that in 2023-24, only 62 per cent of first maternity appointments occurred within the first ten weeks of pregnancy.

The new online system, since rollout began in March, has already been used by 60,000 women, and over 84,000 people have access the portal for information and support. More than three-quarters of NHS trusts in England are now connected to the service.

This service is expected to ease the pressure on GPs, potentially saving up to 180,000 calls and 30,000 appointments annually.

The NHS’s chief midwife is urging those who are newly-pregnant to rear themselves as early as possible: the earlier care begins, the sooner women can access vital services and develop a personalised care plan with their midwife.

Chief midwife Kate Brintworth said: “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.

“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.”