FOI release

Neurodivergent Intrapartum Care (Maternity Services)

Case reference FOI2026/00766

Received 19 March 2026

Published 10 April 2026

Request

I would be grateful if you could confirm whether your trust holds the following information, and if so, provide copies or links where available: 1. Policies and Procedures Does your trust have any formal policies, pathways, or standard operating procedures that reference the care of neurodivergent patients during labour and birth? If so, please provide copies or links. 2. Guidelines or Protocols for Staff Does your trust provide any guidance or protocols for staff relating to communication approaches, sensory adjustments, reasonable adjustments, or other supportive care for neurodivergent patients during the intrapartum period? If so, please provide copies or links. 3.Resources, Tools, or Training Materials Does your trust use any resources, tools, or training materials (e.g. visual aids, communication tools, sensory supports, or staff training resources) to support neurodivergent patients during labour and birth? If so, please provide copies, links, or a brief description. Where possible, I would appreciate if the information can be provided in an electronic format. If documents are not held centrally but are used locally within services, a brief description of what is available would be helpful. If no information is held or available, please confirm this. If any of this information is already publicly available, I would be grateful if you could direct me to the relevant source. If this request exceeds the appropriate cost limit or would benefit from refinement, I would appreciate advice and assistance under Section 16 of the Act.

Response

1. Policies and Procedures
Does your trust have any formal policies, pathways, or standard operating procedures that reference the care of neurodivergent patients during labour and birth?
If so, please provide copies or links.

We do not currently have any formal policies, pathways or SOPs for this area specifically, however, the Specialist Mental Health Midwives are working in collaboration with service user representatives to develop a pathway for care of neurodivergent women and birthing people which will be applicable to the antenatal, labour and postnatal periods. The Trust does has a Learning Disability policy, which is intended to cover both Learning Disabilities and Neurodiversity.

2. Guidelines or Protocols for Staff
Does your trust provide any guidance or protocols for staff relating to communication approaches, sensory adjustments, reasonable adjustments, or other supportive care for neurodivergent patients during the intrapartum period?
If so, please provide copies or links.

Yes. Staff receive guidance on how to make referrals for and how to access reasonable adjustments for neurodivergent women and birthing people. This includes:

• Training for midwives on identifying and implementing reasonable adjustments and individualised birth preferences.

• Clear processes for locating Reasonable Adjustment Plans and individualised birth plans on BadgerNet.

Communication and sensory needs differ for each neurodivergent person, so Maternity prioritises individualised care planning rather than applying a universal protocol.

Staff are able to use the BOB neuro-inclusion passport (attached) to work out communication/sensory needs and help identify any reasonable adjustments needed. Much of the passport is specific to appointments and we recognise that there are many reasonable adjustments specific to the intrapartum period that may be needed, which will be covered by the neurodiversity pathway currently in development. 

 

Clinicians (e.g. midwives, obstetricians) can refer women/birthing people to the Mental Health Midwives for a more thorough discussion about reasonable adjustments, including for birth planning. This may include adjustments such as reducing time in waiting areas, offering appointments face-to-face (if preferred), sensory considerations such as dimming lighting and reducing external noise, and reducing staff changes where possible, to name a few.

3.Resources, Tools, or Training Materials
Does your trust use any resources, tools, or training materials (e.g. visual aids, communication tools, sensory supports, or staff training resources) to support neurodivergent patients during labour and birth?
If so, please provide copies, links, or a brief description.

As above, staff can use the BOB neuro-inclusion passport and any reasonable adjustments identified to support neurodivergent patients during labour and birth. All staff are expected to complete the Oliver McGowan Part 1 e-learning to provide them with the right skills and knowledge to provide safe, compassionate, and informed care to autistic people and people with a learning disability. This training has been developed in partnership with people with learning disabilities by sharing their lived experiences and stories of the impact of learning disability and autism on receiving healthcare. The Health and Care Act 2022 introduced a requirement that all CQC registered service providers must ensure their staff have training on learning disability and autism that is appropriate to their role. The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is the Government’s preferred and recommended training for health and social care staff to undertake.

Documents

• BOB Neuro-Inclusion Passport.docx (96.4 KB)
• Learning Disability Policy (redacted).pdf (7.9 MB)

This is Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.

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