Important information about your first maternity appointment

All women attending maternity/antenatal services as non-emergency patients for their first appointment are asked to provide two forms of identification. If you have had a previous appointment in our hospital for your current pregnancy you do not need to provide any documents.

We will not turn away any women or delay maternity/antenatal treatment if they cannot do so, nor if they are ineligible for free care. This new process will enable us to properly assess whether patients are eligible for free NHS treatment, in line with Department of Health regulations.

Our Overseas Patients team will work with women to assess their eligibility, to support them and to discuss payment arrangements if they are ineligible for free NHS treatment.

Please bring one document from the following list as proof of identity:

• current signed passport
• residence permit issued by UK Border Agency
• valid UK photocard full driving licence
• EU or Swiss national identity photocard
• valid armed forces or police photo identity card
• photographic disabled blue badge
• citizen card
• valid bus pass 

Please bring one document from the following list as proof of address—the document must show your current address:

• original utility bill such as gas, electric, water, landline (mobile not acceptable) dated within the last three months
• council tax bill for the current year
• bank, building society or credit union statement or passbook dated within the last six months
• original mortgage statement from a recognised lender dated within the last six months
• current council or housing association rent book or tenancy agreement dated within the last six months
• notification letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirming your right to benefits or a state pension dated within the last six months
• evidence of electoral registration