Cross-Cultural Communication and Language Support in Maternity Care and Women's Health

Published on Monday, 15 December 2025 Post

Alongside the updated Maternity Service Standards Framework, the The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) have also published the 12th maternity care standard for cross-cultural communication: 'The Cross-Cultural Communication and Language Support: Standards for Maternity Care and Women's Health'.

These standards set out practical, actionable steps for NHS commissioners, providers, agencies, and interpreters.

https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/l1ypcshk/cross-cultural-communication-and-language-support-standards-for-maternity-care-and-womens-health.pdf

Jennifer MacLellan, an NPEU Senior Qualitative Researcher, who co-authored this landmark document said,

It calls for free access to professional interpreters, robust documentation of language needs, gender-appropriate and culturally safe communication, and clear processes for feedback and informed refusal.