The RCOG welcomes the publication of the National Maternity Triage Specification by NHS England this week, which is built on the College’s Maternity Triage Good Practice Paper.
The College produced our Good Practice Paper in 2023 recognising the vital role maternity triage units play, as the emergency portal to maternity services for pregnant or newly postnatal women who have unexpected complications or concerns. Our aim was to support local maternity services to offer responsive, safe and evidence-based care through their units.
Our GPP includes advice on how to deploy NHS resources most effectively and potential additional requirements. Without safe staffing levels, protected time for maternity teams to train on delivering high quality, equitable triage care, and the necessary equipment and building facilities, some Trusts will undoubtedly find it challenging to meet the 12-month implementation period set out by NHS England.
As the system mobilises to deliver rapid action on much needed maternity service improvements, the College continues to call on the government to commit to sustainable investment in safe staffing, training time and fit for purpose technology and estates, to deliver better for women and babies.
The College remains absolutely committed to our role in supporting safer maternity care, raising standards of care through the development of clinical guidance, and supporting clinicians to deliver excellent care through our exams, and our training and education programmes.
- Read our original Good Practice Paper: https://www.rcog.org.uk/guidance/browse-all-guidance/good-practice-papers/maternity-triage-good-practice-paper-no-17/
- Read the NHSE specification: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/prn02402-national-maternity-triage-specification-july-2026.pdf