Pregnant women to be asked to show ID at hospital appointments in new Queen’s Hospital trial scheme

From today, pregnant women will be asked to provide two forms of identification when they attend Queen’s Hospital’s maternity care department.

Under a pilot scheme backed by the Department of Health, mums-to-be visiting the hospital in Rom Valley Way, Romford, will be asked to provide a photo ID and proof of address at their first appointment.

The pilot is looking at how best to establish whether or not people are eligible for free NHS care, as people who do not usually live in the UK are not eligible for free care on the NHS, and must pay for their treatment.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust insists the care being given to pregnant women will not change at all, and that the ID check will simply be an additional process during the first appointment.

It also makes it clear that maternity care will never be refused for any patient, regardless of their status.

The hospital trust’s chief nurse, Kathryn Halford, said: “This pilot will have no impact on patient care and I’d like to reassure women that if they have any concerns about whether they have the right form of ID, or whether they forget it on the day, their appointment will of course go ahead as planned.

“We know that the NHS generally is under real financial pressure, so it is important that where we can, we do our best to support it.”

Any patients with concerns can call 01708 435 165.