The changing demographics of the maternity population have driven complexity and risk in maternity care. In this video, Dr Daghni Rajasingam, Head of Service and Consultant Obstetrician, and Geraldine Joyce, Safeguarding Lead and Midwife at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, discuss the challenges that supporting vulnerable patients can present to maternity services.

They describe two groups of vulnerable patients – those with complex medical conditions and those with social vulnerabilities such as housing, employment and immigration status and discuss the impact of vulnerability on the safety of maternity services. They also describe some approaches to support and reduce risk for these vulnerable women.