Changes to maternity self-referrals: Important update

From Monday 9 February 2026, we are changing the criteria for accepting self-referral bookings into our maternity services.

Demand for our services has increased significantly, and a change was necessary to ensure we continue to provide safe, high‑quality and personalised maternity care.

Self-referral criteria

We continue to accept new maternity bookings from people living in South West London Boroughs. This means:

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

We also accept booking from our neighbouring borough Elmbridge.

Additionally, we will continue to accommodate the small number of late bookers whose pregnancy is confirmed to involve a breech presentation and who are requesting a planned vaginal breech birth, as this is an area of specialism for us.

Why is Kingston Hospital limiting maternity bookings?
We have seen a steady increase in referrals from outside our local area. To maintain safe, high‑quality and personalised care and to ensure we have capacity to deliver our specialist maternity services, we are limiting self‑referrals to people who live in the 6 South West London boroughs.

I’ve already booked my pregnancy care at Kingston. Will this affect me?
No. If your booking was accepted before 2 February 2026, your care will continue as planned.

I’m not sure if I meet the new criteria. Who can I ask for advice?
If you have questions about whether you are eligible to book with Kingston Hospital, contact our maternity referrals team, who will be happy to advise you: krft.maternityreferrals@nhs.net 

How long will these restrictions be in place?
These changes will remain in place while we explore to the best way to manage bookings in the longer term. We review the situation regularly and will share updates as soon as they are available.

To refer yourself to Kingston Maternity, please complete our self-referral form below:

Maternity self-referral form