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Here's the link....
Local GP care for
mums-to-be
03apr03 MOTHERS-TO-BE will be cared for by their local GP
instead of having to travel often long distances to outpatient
clinics. Known as the GP Obstetric Shared Care program. It involves more than 500 GPs
throughout the state and was available in all SA public hospitals from
yesterday,.
The chairman of the Models of Care Working Group, Justin Beilby, said the
plan involved GPs, midwives and hospital-based staff.
Expectant mothers would have seven out of their 10 antenatal visits handled
by their GPs with the rest at the hospital where they would book in for an
ultrasound scan.
GP co-ordinators from the Divisions of General Practice would work with
midwives to ensure pregnant women received the best care.
Professor Beilby said provided a woman was seen by a doctor before 18 weeks
of pregnancy there were no problems to be overcome with medical indemnity
insurance.
"Companies have said they are comfortable to indemnify GPs for shared care
provided women were seen by a clinician before 18 weeks pregnancy," he said.
When birth was imminent the mothers would go to the public hospital they had
booked into and be delivered by hospital midwives or resident medical staff.
Professor Beilby said it was likely other states would follow the model.
"It gives the outpatient hospital staff a chance to deal with the more
higher-risk patients while providing families with continuity of care for the
family after the birth."
It would also ease pressure on public hospital outpatient services freeing
staff to care for priority, high-risk and complex cases.
For most public patients all antenatal checks could be carried out by GPs
except those requiring them to undergo examinations such as ultrasound scans,
Human Services Minister, Lea Stevens said. |
[ozmidwifery] Article in the Advertiser yesterday
Tom, Tania and Sam Smallwood Thu, 03 Apr 2003 15:02:11 -0800
