Changes to our maternity self-referrals
Important update
From 6 October 2025, self-referrals to our maternity services have been limited. We took this important step to maintain safe, high-quality and personalised care for our maternity services. Demand has risen, and we must ensure we have the capacity to support complex pregnancies and births, and reduce health inequalities.
ਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਅਨੁਵਾਦ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ?
क्या आपको यह जानकारी अनुवादित चाहिए?
Precisa desta informação traduzida?
هل تحتاج هذه المعلومات مترجمة؟
ایا غواړئ دا معلومات په خپله ژبه وژباړل شي؟
1) Check you live in our local NHS area
We accept new bookings at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital from people living in NHS North West London (NWL). This includes: Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.
At both Chelsea and Westminster and West Middlesex University hospitals, we also accept self-referrals from adjacent boroughs, which include self-referrals from within North West London.
We still accept referrals from GPs or other maternity units where there is a clinical need (for example maternal medicine or fetal medicine).
If you live outside these areas, please refer to your nearest maternity service at the same time as any referral to us. This helps keep your care consistent before and after birth. You can explore options on the NHS website.
2) Make your referral as early as possible
Start antenatal care early, ideally by 8 weeks. Please self-refer or arrange a referral as soon as you know you are pregnant, ideally at 5–6 weeks.
We do not accept self-referrals to transfer care from another maternity unit if you are over 30 weeks pregnant, even if you live in our local area.
We accept late referrals from GPs or other maternity units for complex pregnancy care, or if you have moved into our area. Please speak to your GP or current maternity team. They will contact us on your behalf.
3) Choose how to make your referral
- Online self-referral form: Complete and submit the self-referral form (link below).
- Ask a professional to refer you: A social worker, community midwife or other healthcare professional can submit the form for you.
- GP referral: Your GP can complete and email our referral form to us.
If you are unsure whether you meet the criteria, or want to discuss your referral, please contact the Maternity Bookings team at chelwest.anc-outpatients@nhs.net.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust limiting maternity bookings?
We have seen a steady rise in bookings from outside our local area. These changes help maintain safe, high-quality and personalised care, with enough capacity to support complex pregnancies and births.
What are the specific changes to self-referrals?
- We no longer accept self-referrals from people living outside our immediate catchment area, unless there is a clinical need.
- At both hospitals, we may still accept self-referrals from neighbouring boroughs where we are the closest and most convenient hospital.
- We do not accept late self-referrals (30 weeks or more) from within NWL, unless there is a clinical need for specialist care or you have recently moved into our area.
I’ve already booked my pregnancy care at Chelsea and Westminster or West Middlesex. Will this affect me?
If your booking was accepted before 6 October 2025, your care continues as planned.
I’m not sure if I meet the new criteria. Who can I ask for advice?
Please contact our Maternity Bookings team at chelwest.anc-outpatients@nhs.net. You can also speak to your GP or local maternity service for guidance.
Where else can I go for maternity care?
If you live outside NWL, please discuss your options with your GP or local maternity unit. It is important to book your maternity care as soon as possible so that appointments and screening checks can be arranged early. You can also find services on the NHS website.
How long will these restrictions be in place?
These changes remain in place while we explore long-term solutions to manage demand. We review the situation regularly and share updates as soon as they are available.