New national guidance: Transfer of critically ill maternity patients (22 April 2026)

Summary

A new guidance supplement has been published by the Intensive Care Society that aims to improve the safety and quality of care when critically unwell pregnant or recently pregnant women are moved between areas within one hospital or moved to a different hospital (transfers).

It builds on existing guidance and acknowledges some important additional factors that need to be considered around the time of the transfer. This is the first time that transfer guidance has been published by the Intensive Care Society relating specifically to pregnant or recently pregnant women.