GP Antenatal Shared Care Program

Objective: To improve maternal and child wellbeing by supporting clinicians in the provision of integrated antenatal and postnatal care. This will be achieved through collaborations with key stakeholders, commissioned initiatives and workforce education and training.


Program enquiries

For program enquiries email ansc@cesphn.com.au or phone 1300 986 991 and press 5. 

For clinical enquiries and feedback, please contact the GP Liaison Midwife at the relevant hospital. Contact information is available on the hospital program pages. 

For information about becoming an ANSC GP or to submit an online application form, please visit Become an ANSC GP.

About the program  

The GP ANSC program promotes continuity of care through sharing clinical responsibility for pregnant women between a general practitioner and the hospital-based services under defined guidelines and protocols.


Antenatal Shared Care is an option offered to all women assessed as being low risk and suitable for shared care.

The program aims to:

  • provide pregnant women with flexibility, choice and continuity of care
  • cater for the preferences and needs of women from a range of cultural and diverse backgrounds
  • enhance the skills of GPs caring for women during pregnancy
  • promote communication between GPs and the participating hospitals. 
Governance

CESPHN works collaboratively with South Eastern Sydney LHD and Sydney LHD to deliver the three GP ANSC programs in the region.

CESPHN is responsible for program administration and communication; providing ANSC specific CPD programs; and collaborating with HealthPathways to ensure clinical resources are up to date and consistent.

The hospitals are responsible for defining specific clinical care pathways and protocols and providing ongoing clinical guidance for GPs.

Each ANSC program has an Advisory Committee which is comprised of local GP Advisors, hospital staff and CESPHN staff. There are up to five GP Advisors on each committee to ensure broad primary care representation and advocacy.

Each committee meets quarterly and is responsible for the clinical governance of the program, ensuring appropriate standards of antenatal care are maintained. They advise on the operation of ANSC protocols, monitor identified or emerging risks, provide feedback on program initiatives and assist with developing educational priorities.

Feedback

The ANSC program is dedicated to the provision of quality antenatal care and we welcome constructive feedback from GPs to enhance program delivery. You can provide feedback on the operations of the ANSC program including applications and orientation, communications, program resources and CPD here.

Program feedback will be discussed at quarterly ANSC Advisory Committee meetings and any urgent feedback will be raised out of session.

Note: For clinical enquiries and feedback, please contact the GP Liaison Midwife at the relevant hospital. Contact information is available on the hospital program pages. Contact information is available at the links below:

ANSC eNewsletter

If you are an affiliated ANSC GP and have not been receiving this newsletter, please contact ansc@cesphn.com.au.

Educational requirements

To maintain affiliation with the ANSC program, there are ongoing educational requirements for each RACGP triennium. Over the three-year period (2023-2025), GPs are required to accrue at least 6 CPD hours in either antenatal and/or postnatal specific educational activities. Relevant educational activities can be completed as face-to-face and online webinars (CESPHN or external events) or as online education modules.

You can keep your records up to date by forwarding a copy of your CPD statement to ansc@cesphn.com.au

CESPHN education events can be viewed in the Maternal Health Calendar and will also be posted on the events webpage and Sydney Health Weekly.