Changes to Kingston Hospital's maternity service self-referral booking criteria

There has been a change in the booking criteria at Kingston Hospital’s maternity service to manage demand for the services.
Black adult male and white adult female reading with their children

Since 9 February self-referral bookings can only be offered to people who live within the six boroughs in South West London, and neighbouring borough Elmbridge. Some women who live in Hounslow may be redirected to their local service.

In the first instance, this demand management approach will be in place until 31 May 2026 to ensure that the maternity service are able to continue to provide high-quality, safe care to all their booked women.

Self-referral criteria

Kingston Hospital's maternity service will continue to accept new maternity bookings from people living in South West London Boroughs. This means:

  • Kingston
  • Richmond
  • Merton
  • Wandsworth
  • Sutton
  • Croydon

They are also accept booking from our neighbouring borough Elmbridge.

Additionally the maternity service team will continue to accommodate the small number of late bookers whose baby is found to be in the breech position, and if a vaginal breech birth is requested as this is an area of specialism for the maternity service.

The hospital has been in touch with other maternity units that may be impacted by this change, including Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

You can find more information and frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust website.

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