Maternity Pathway Flowchart

Following consultations with London maternity units and the maternity LMNSs, it was found that offers of immunisations to pregnant patients was not consistent and gave rise to variation and disparity of uptake. In consultation with relevant partners and stakeholders, the London Region has produced a flowchart for maternity services and GP practices to follow to ensure patients receive the immunisations to which they are entitled to during pregnancy. 

We would like to remind General Practice of the importance of recording an offer of immunisation and where an immunisation has been given, to record that on the patient notes handheld or e-notes and to inform the patient’s maternity unit so as to avoid incidents of double jabbing.  The attached flowchart pathway, when followed, will ensure that patients (who have not actively declined) receive repeated offers throughout their pregnancy by either the maternity unit or the GP if the patient decides to receive her vaccination with her practice. The flowchart also encourages good communication between General Practice and the maternity unit.

We would like to thank SEL LMNS and the London maternity units for their support with mapping out the pathway, which highlighted the variation of offer across London.

Please use this pathway with your pregnant cohorts for the flu, pertussis and RSV programmes. As ever, we are happy to receive feedback to improve the pathway further, and ultimately, the uptake of these important immunisation programmes.

Please get in touch if you have any queries at england.londonimms@nhs.net  For your information, all London maternity units will be working to this pathway.