Bookings, referral process and contacts

RPA Women and Babies and Canterbury Hospital have specific procedures for referring and booking a woman into the hospital for both routine and specialist pregnancy related clinics. Be aware that this process differs between hospitals. Specific referral forms may also be required to be completed by the referring GP.

All women should arrange their first hospital "booking in" appointment ASAP. This visit should be scheduled for ~ 12-14 weeks gestation.

It is important if you see a woman in the first trimester who you may consider a risk of complication of pregnancy that they can be referred for early review in pregnancy and do not have to wait until their booking in appointment. This is officially called a “consultation in pregnancy” and these consultations are seen in the various high-risk pregnancy clinics at the hospital. These women should be referred to the relevant hospital antenatal clinic (ANC) for triage. The hospital will determine the timing and clinic allocation.

There may be specific indications for discussion, consultation and/or transfer of care when first discussing a woman’s needs during initial visits. Indications are outlined in the National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation and Referral. These cover medical conditions, pre-existing gynaecological disorders, previous obstetric history and indications developed/discovered during pregnancy. The main purpose of the indication list is to provide a guide for risk-selection.

How to refer a woman

Select the hospital and the pregnancy risk level to view the referral process:

Canterbury Hospital - Low risk pregnancy
Canterbury Hospital - Early or high risk pregnancy
RPA Women and Babies - Low risk pregnancy
RPA Women and Babies - Early or high risk pregnancy
RPA Birth Centre
Midwifery Group Practice - RPA 9515 8864 or Canterbury 9787 0000

Canterbury Hospital - low risk pregnancy

Step	Action required	Required by
1	Check if the woman lives within the hospital postcode boundary.	GP or woman
2	Assess if the woman has identifiable risk factors and needs to be referred for a specialist consult. If yes, follow early or urgent high risk referral process.	GP
3	Phone the hospital on 9787 0250 or 9787 0560 to arrange first hospital appointment.	GP or woman
4	The woman will be given her first hospital appointment date and time at the time of booking.	Hospital staff
5	Complete the following and give to the woman to bring to her first hospital appointment: Antenatal "yellow" record card pdf (109 KB) pdf Obstetric Referral Form (451 KB) DO NOT fax or post the form as it is not a booking request.	GP
6	Bring the following to the first hospital appointment: Antenatal "yellow" record card Obstetric Referral Form	Woman

RPA Women and Babies - low risk pregnancy

Step	Action required	Required by
1	Check if the woman lives within the hospital postcode boundary.	GP or woman
2	Complete the on-line interactive booking form.	GP or woman
3	Assess if the woman has identifiable risk factors and needs to be referred for a specialist consult. If yes, follow early or high risk referral process.	GP
4	Complete the following and give to the woman to bring to her first hospital appointment: Antenatal "yellow" record card Obstetric Referral Form DO NOT fax or post this form as it is not a hospital booking request.	GP
5	The woman will be contacted via mail (~ 2-3 weeks) with a letter noting her first hospital appointment date and further information required to be brought to the appointment.	Hospital staff
6	Bring all information outlined in the letter from the hospital together with completed pdf Obstetric Referral Form (336 KB) and antenatal record card to the first appointment, otherwise the appointment may be rescheduled.	Woman

RPA Birth Centre

Women should contact the Birth Centre directly on 9515 6405 to arrange first information session.

Canterbury Hospital - early or high risk pregnancy

Step	Action required	Required by
1	Check if the woman lives within the hospital postcode boundary.	GP or woman
2	Phone Midwifery Unit Manager on 9787 0557 or GP Liaison Midwife on 0425 230 662 to discuss further (if required). If urgent, page O&G Registrar through hospital switchboard on 9787 0000.	GP
3	Complete pdf Obstetric Referral Form (451 KB) Ensure adequate clinical information is documented. This should include: Reason for referral Previous obstetric history Gynaecological disorders Medical conditions including treatment, medications, specialists (name and location) and attach any recent specialist letters Any other issues	GP
4	Fax Obstetric Referral Form to antenatal clinic on 9787 0431 (only fax referrals for high risk or urgent referrals) Upon assessment, women may be referred to RPA Women and Babies.	GP
5	Complete the antenatal "yellow" record card and give to the woman to bring with her to her specialist consult.	GP
6	The woman will be contacted via phone of her specialist consult. Women will be informed about additional information required to be bought to the appointment.	Hospital staff
7	Bring the following to the hospital appointment: Antenatal "yellow" record card Additional information as requested by the Hospital	Woman

If you are uncertain about the best approach for referring a woman, or if the woman requires urgent review, phone the GP Liaison Midwife (0425 230 662 or hospital's O&G Registrar).

RPA Women and Babies - early or urgent high risk pregnancy

Step	Action required	Required by
1	Check if the woman lives within the hospital postcode boundary.	GP or woman
2	Complete the on-line interactive hospital booking form.	GP
3	Phone GP Liaison Midwife on 0425 230 662 to discuss further (if required). If urgent, page O&G Registrar through hospital switchboard on 9515 6111.	GP
4	Complete GP pdf Obstetric Referral Form (336 KB) . Ensure adequate clincial information is documented. This should include: Reason for referral Previous obstetric history Gynaecological disorders Medical conditions including treatment, medications, specialists (name and location) and attach any recent specialist letters Any other issues	GP
5	Fax Obstetric Referral Form to the antenatal clinic on 9515 3454 (only fax referrals for urgent or high risk consults). All referrals will be triaged by the antenatal clinic and the hospital will determine the timing and allocation to specialist clinic/s. This will ensure that all women are booked to commence their antenatal care.	GP
6	Complete antenatal "yellow" record card and give to the woman to bring to her specialist consult	GP
7	Woman will be contacted regarding her clinic appointment and any additional information required to be bought to the appointment.	Hospital staff
8	Bring the following to the hospital appointment: Antenatal "yellow" record card Additional information as requested by the hospital	Woman

If you are uncertain about the best approach for referring a woman, or if the woman requires urgent review, phone the GP Liaison Midwife (0425 230 662 or hospital's O&G Registrar on call).

Referral forms

How to import templates

These templates have been specifically made to be imported to your software or for use by printing out and handwriting in the form itself. The following documents can be downloaded to provide instructions on how to import these templates to your program of choice.

document-pdf-text pdf Importing templates into Best Practice from CESPHN website (546 KB)

document-pdf-text pdf Importing templates into Medical Director from CESPHN website (620 KB)

RPA Women and Babies

Form	PDF	Best Practice template	Medical Director template
First Antenatal Appointment Booking Form To be completed to arrange First Antenatal "Booking In" Appointment Either a woman or GP can complete this online form. The same form can be printed and faxed (if preferred option).	Book online
Obstetrics Referral Form (RPA Women and Babies) To be completed by GP For routine obstetrics: women to bring form with her to first hospital visit For early or urgent high-risk obstetrics: Fax referral to ANC 9515 3454. All early or urgent high risk referrals will be triaged by ANC and the hospital will determine the timing and allocation to specialist clinic Note this is a standardised referral form and is not a hospital "booking in" form. Women are required to arrange their first hospital " booking in" appointment via First Antenatal Visit Booking Form (as above)
Gynaecology Referral Form FAX ONLY: 9515 3454 Appointments are triaged into appropriate clinic upon referral
RPA Pathology Form – Combined First Trimester Screening To be completed by GP together with FMU Ultrasound Form to arrange First Trimester Screening
Reproductive Medicine Clinic Fax referral to DREI 9515 7976
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Physiotherapy Referral Form Referrals will be prioritised with higher priority given to patients with: Pelvic girdle pain affecting rest of mobility Severe pelvic floor dysfunction including incontinence or prolapse *Please note referrals for carpal tunnel syndrome can be made directly to RPA Hand Clinic by emailing referral form to rpahandreferrals@sswahs.nsw.gov.au Referrals will be prioritised according to severity/ urgency and may involve a telephone consult prior to face-to-face appointment
Antenatal Thyroid Clinic Referral Form		-	-
Clinical Genetics/Medical Genomics Referral Form
EPAS Referral Form
Hepatitis B Referral Form
Hepatitis C referral Form
Psychosocial Referral Form - to ensure referral is received contact Perinatal Mental Health RPA on ph. 9515 5873 Canterbury Hospital on 9787 0000 page CNC or GP Liaison Midwife 0425 230 662

Canterbury Hospital

Form	PDF	Best Practice template	Medical Director template
Obstetric Referral Form To be completed by GP For routine obstetrics: women to bring form with her to first hospital visit For early or urgent high-risk obstetrics: Fax referral to ANC 9787 0431 for review		-	-
Endocrine Maternity Clinic Referral Form - Referral for women with GDM or thyroid disease To be completed by GP Fax to ANC 9787 0431 for review

Form

PDF

Best Practice template

Medical Director template

Obstetric Referral Form

To be completed by GP
For routine obstetrics: women to bring form with her to first hospital visit
For early or urgent high-risk obstetrics: Fax referral to ANC
9787 0431 for review

Endocrine Maternity Clinic Referral Form - Referral for women with GDM or thyroid disease

To be completed by GP
Fax to ANC 9787 0431 for review

Referral postcodes

Maternity bookings within Sydney Local Health District (SLHD)

For women who live in SLHD, bookings to RPA Women and Babies and Canterbury hospitals will be initially made according to hospital postcode boundaries. Transfers between hospitals will be according to existing hospital protocols.

Maternity bookings external to SLHD

There are currently no restrictions on bookings to either maternity hospital where place of residence is external to SLHD. This process will be monitored closely by the hospitals to ensure the needs of women requiring maternal care are met.

RPA Women and Babies referral postcodes

Suburbs (A-D)		Suburbs (E-N)		Suburbs (P-Z)
ABBOTSFORD	2046	ENFIELD	2136	PETERSHAM	2049
ANNANDALE	2038	ENMORE	2042	PYRMONT	2009
ALEXANDRIA	2015	ERSKINVILLE	2043	REDFERN	2016
ASHFIELD	2131	FIVE DOCK	2046	RHODES	2138
BALMAIN	2041	FOREST LODGE	2037	RODD POINT	2046
BIRCHGROVE	2041	GLEBE	2037	ROZELLE	2039
BREAKFAST POINT	2137	HABERFIELD	2045	RUSSELL LEA	2046
BURWOOD	2134	HAYMARKET	2000	ST PETERS	2044
BURWOOD HEIGHTS	2136	HOMEBUSH	2140	STANMORE	2048
CABARITA	2137	HOMEBUSH WEST	2140	STRATHFIELD	2135
CAMPERDOWN	2050	LEICHHARDT	2040	STRATHFIELD NORTH	2137
CANADA BAY	2046	LEWISHAM	2049	STRAWBERRY HILLS	2010
CHIPPENDALE	2008	LIBERTY GROVE	2138	PROOF OF RESIDENCE REQUIRED	2012 (PO BOX ONLY)
CHISWICK	2046	LILYFIELD	2040	SUMMER HILL	2130
CONCORD	2137	MACDONALDTOWN	2042	SYDNEHAM	2044
CONCORD WEST	2138	MARRICKVILLE	2204	TAVERNERS HILL	2040
CROYDON	2132	MARRICKVILLE METRO	2204	TEMPE	2044
DARLINGTON	2008	MARRICKVILLE SOUTH	2204	ULTIMO	2007
DOBROYD POINT	2045	MORTLAKE	2137	WAREEMBA	2046
DRUMMOYNE	2047	NEWTOWN	2042	WATERLOO	2017
DULWICH HILL	2203

Canterbury Hospital referral postcodes

Suburbs (A-D)		Suburbs (E-N)		Suburbs (P-Z)
ASHBURY	2193	EARLWOOD	2206	PEAKHURST HTS	2210
BARDWELL PARK/ BARDWELL VALLEY	2207	ENFIELD SOUTH	2133	PUNCHBOWL	2196
BELFIELD	2191	HURLSTONE PARK	2193	RIVERWOOD	2210
BELMORE	2192	KINGSGROVE/ KINGSWAY WEST	2208	ROSELANDS	2196
BEVERLY HILLS	2209	LAKEMBA	2195	SOUTH BELMORE	2192
BEXLEY/ BEXLEY NORTH/SOUTH	2207	LUGARNO	2210	STRATHFIELD SOUTH	2136
CAMPSIE	2194	NARWEE	2209	UNDERCLIFFE	2206
CANTERBURY	2193			WILEY PARK	2195
CLEMTON PARK	2206
CROYDON PARK	2133

Key contacts

document-pdf-text pdf Download PDF version (61 KB)

RPA Women and Babies

Clinic/Service	Phone	Fax	Pager (Call 95156111 to page)
GP Liaision Midwife	0425 239 662
General enquiries and/or paging medical , midwives and nursing staff	9515 6111
Faxing results to antenatal clinic (ANC)		9515 7452
Access and submit on-line "booking in" appointment	https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/rpa/WomenAndBabies/pdf/FirstVisitAppointment.html
Faxing High risk/Urgent referrals		9515 3454
Aboriginal Liaison Midwife	9515 6586		# 87292
Birth Centre	9515 6405
Delivery Ward General Enquiries Direct Line for GPs	9515 8420 9515 8444
Diabetes Centre	9515 5888	9515 5820
Genetic Counselling	9515 5080	9515 5490
Gynaecology Clinic		9515 3454 ONLY
Early Pregnancy Assessment Service (EPAS) Early pregnancy bleeding (< 20 weeks pregnant) Advice line	0429 728 608 (Mon-Sun 8.00-4.00pm)
Executive Unit – RPA Women and Babies Director of Women's Health, Neonatology and Paediatrics	9515 8356
Fetal Medicine Unit cFTS, NIPT, CVS, Amniocentesis, Ultrasound	9515 6042	9515 6579
Hepatitis B (HBV)	9515 6228	9515 5182
Hepatitis C (HCV)	9515 7049	9515 5182
Lactation Consultant	9515 8422
Midwifery Unit Manager	9515 7935
Midwives Desk	9515 8090
Parent Education	9515 5284
Perinatal Mental Health	9515 5873
Physiotherapy	9515 9853	9515 9751
Physiotherapy (Hand)	9515 9829	9515 9751
Sexual Health Clinic	9515 3131
Social Work	9515 6616
Thyroid Clinic	9515 7225	9515 8728

Canterbury Hospital

Clinic/Service	Phone	Fax	Pager (Call 97870000 to page)
GP Liaison Midwife	0425 239 662
General enquiries and/or paging medical, midwives or nursing staff	9787 0000
Faxing results to ANC		9787 0431
Antenatal appointment bookings	9787 0250 9787 0560
Birthing Unit	9787 0555 9787 0554
Diabetes Educator CNC	9787 0248
Midwife Practitioner	9787 0572		# 82220
Midwifery Unit Manager	9787 0577		# 81569
Midwives Desk	9787 0183
Perinatal Mental Health	9787 0000		# 82062
Social Work	9787 0121

Hospital clinics and services

All referrals for specialist consults will be triaged by the antenatal clinic and the hospital will determine the timing and allocation to specialist clinic/s. This will ensure that all women are booked to commence their antenatal care.

The Obstetric Referral Form is required to completed for all referrals ensuring adequate clinical information is documented including:

Reason for referral
Previous obstetric history
Gynaecological disorders
Medical conditions including treatment, medications, specialists (name & location)and attach any recent specialist letters
Any other issues

Routine clinics

Clinic/Service	Purpose	Day and time
Antenatal Booking Clinic	This clinic is the first contact women have with the hospital.	Held regularly
Birth after Caesarean (BAC)	For women who have had a previous Caesarean Section for review for possible vaginal birth. Women with known: uterine fibroids placenta praevia pdf Referral Form (336 KB) is required to be completed	Thursday PM
Midwives Antenatal Clinic	Low risk antenatal women are encouraged to attend. Patients are seen by a doctor at the VMO visit and may be referred back to Registrar or high risk clinics if required. GP ANSC women are seen at 30 weeks.	Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Registrars Antenatal Clinic	Shared Care patients are seen at 37 and 41 weeks or as required clinically. Women with a breech presentation from 34 weeks gestation 35 week external cephalic version review.	Monday AM Wednesday AM Thursday PM
VMO Visit Clinic	Women with low risk pregnancies are referred to this clinic from the midwives booking clinic for obstetric review and confirmation of care option for the remainder of their pregnancy	Monday AM/PM Wednesday PM Thursday PM

Specialist pregnancy related clinics and services

Clinic/Service	Purpose
Diabetic Clinic	Women identified with: re-existing diabetes (including pre-conception) or newly diagnosed Patients identified as Gestational Diabetic by either SGTT/FGTT will be seen at this clinic as per protocol. Other endocrine disorders Women with pre-existing diabetes or newly diagnosed GDM should be referred by GP directly to Diabetic Centre (Phone: 9515 5888 or Fax: 9515 5820). These women can be seen prior to their first antenatal hospital appointment.
Fetal Medicine: Antenatal Assessment Unit	Offered as an outpatient service. An antenatal assessment comprises: Urinalysis, PET bloods, 3 x blood pressure readings at 1 hr intervals, CTG (>28 weeks), USS - either Growth & Wellbeing or Wellbeing, Medical review. Follow the steps below for booking: Contact Fetal Medicine Unit on 9515 8258. Complete pathology form (mark urgent) and arrange blood collection prior to assessment. Complete ultrasound/CTG form (include referring doctor and type of USS, if required) and give to patient. Patient to bring antenatal record card, ultrasound/CTG referral and Medicare card to FMU at time of appointment.
Genetics Service	Women identified with: Personal or family history of genetic conditions (e.g. mental retardation, consanguinity, cystic fibrosis) Chromosomal disorders (e.g. trisomy, translocations) Congenital abnormalities or physical malformations Personal or family history of genetic haematology conditions (e.g. thalassemia, sickle cell disease, haemophilia, coagulation or platelet disorders) Referral Form is required to be completed
Hypertensive/ Renal Disorders of Pregnancy Clinic (HDP)	Women identified with: Booking BP 140/90 or greater Known renal disease History of recurrent UTI’s in childhood or in pregnancy History of essential /chronic hypertension Previous pregnancy complicated by hypertension Family history of eclampsia Follow-up from hospital e.g. prescribed antihypertensives When to admit: symptomatic hypertension biochemical abnormalities neurological symptoms pharmacological treatment refinement There are options for referral depending on clinical urgency: Urgent: Day Stay Unit – same day Semi-urgent: Day Stay Unit – ring O&G Registrar on call Elective: next HDP Clinic pdf Referral Form (336 KB) is required to be completed
Medical Obstetric Clinic	Women identified with: Pre-pregnancy conditions Anomalies- uterine, acquired, congenital Pre-existing medical condition (other than hypertension or diabetes) Previous pregnancy complications 2nd trimester M/C, TOP or neonatal death Previous spontaneous pre-term delivery < 34 weeks, no subsequent term delivery (these women need to be seen by 12 weeks to offer cervical assessment) Current pregnancy Complex fetal anomaly Ante partum haemorrhage (APH) All pregnant women satisfying one or more criteria will be transferred for review and/or management by this clinic. pdf Referral Form (336 KB) is required to be completed
Perinatal Psychiatry Service	Women identified with: pre-existing mental illness or at risk of developing a perinatal mental health problem Referral Form is required to be completed
Perinatal and Family Support Clinic	Women identified with: substance use risk for this pregnancy and/or other psychosocial issues or women sharing care between RPA Women and Babies and AMS
Thyroid Antenatal Clinic	Referral Form is required to be completed
Twin + pregnancies	Women identified with: Twin + pregnancy Women should be referred at the time of diagnosis or by 12 weeks. This allows maximum time for appropriate assessment, counselling and discussion of management (including consideration of multifetal reduction).
Young Parent’s Clinic	Women identified: Aged <21 years and/or vulnerable i.e. intellectual disability, social difficulties pdf Referral Form (336 KB) is required to be completed

Specialist womens clinic

pdf Gynaecology Referral Form (333 KB) is required to be completed. Fax referral to 9515 3454 ONLY. Women will be triaged into appropriate clinic upon referral.

Note: Women requiring a Colposcopy should be refer to RPA Lifehouse NOT RPA Women and Babies.

Clinic	Service	Day and time
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Clinic	Women with: bleeding irregularities post hysteroscopy follow up.	Wednesday AM
Endometriosis Clinic	Initial assessment of: Endometriosis	Monday PM once/month
Gynaecology Clinic	Women with: pelvic masses other noncancerous gynaecological conditions.	Monday PM Wednesday PM
Pelvic Floor	Initial assessment of: pelvic floor weakness/prolapse postnatal follow up of 3^rd and 4th degree tears.	Friday AM twice/month
Recurrent Miscarriage	Women who have had: recurrent miscarriages (usually three or more) previous stillbirth (one or more) who are pregnant. Seeking pre-conception advice and investigations.	Tuesday PM once/month
Specialist Contraception Clinic	GP referral or referral from other RPAH specialty units. Women with: complex medical conditions requiring contraceptive advice and management requiring intrauterine device insertion that is not able to be undertaken in the community setting.	Tuesday PM

Canterbury Hospital

Women requiring complex or specialised care may be transferred to RPA Women and Babies. Contact Midwifery Unit Manager on 9787 0558 to discuss further.

Women with BMI >50 or weight ≥150kg, pre-existing Type 1 diabetes, MC twins or a major medical problem would be referred directly to RPA Women and Babies.

Routine Clinics

Clinic/Service	Purpose	Day and time
Birth after Caesarean (BAC)	For women who have had a previous Caesarean Section for review for possible vaginal birth. BAC Education Sessions are available and women can be seen by a specialist BAC midwife	Thursday AM, PM Friday AM Monday PM (fortnightly)
Doctors Clinic (RMO, SRMO, VMO)	Women with low risk pregnancies are referred to this clinic for obstetric review and confirmation of care option for the remainder of their pregnancy. GP ANSC patients are seen at 41 weeks or as required clinically.	Monday AM Wednesday AM (Arabic and Bengali interpreter available) Thursday AM
Endocrine Clinic	Women identified with: pre-existing Type 1 diabetes (including pre-conception) should be referred directly to RPA Diabetic Centre ph. 9515 5888 Fax:9515 5820 Women newly diagnosed as GDM or " Diabetes Mellitus in pregnancy" as per protocol. Referral Form is required to be completed and Fax 9787 0431 Women newly diagnosed with Thyroid issues in preganncy as per protocol Referral Form is required to be completed and Fax 9787 0431	Wednesday AM, PM
GDM Education Clinic	Small group education for women newly diagnosed with GDM facilitated by Diabetes Educator and Dietitian Low risk women with well controlled GDM may be seen by the Low Risk Midwife after inital consultation with the Endocrinologist	Friday AM
Genetics Service	Women identified with: Personal or family history of genetic conditions Consanguinity Chromosomal disorders (e.g. trisomy, translocations) Congenital abnormalities ( eg cystic fibrosis) or physical malformations Personal or family history of genetic haematology conditions (e.g. thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, haemophilia, coagulation or platelet disorders) Referral Form is required to be completed	Referrals to RPAH Tuesday PM once/month (non-urgent ) Urgent Prenatal referrals contact RPAH Ph: 9515 5080
Midwives Clinic	Includes antenatal booking visit. Low risk antenatal women are encouraged to attend. Women are seen by a medical practitioner in the "Doctors Clinic" at least once during pregnancy. Midwives will see the ANSC women at 30 and 37 weeks gestation unless there is a clinical need for them to see a doctor.	Monday PM Tuesday AM, PM Wednesday PM Thursday AM Friday AM, PM
Preconception – Endocrine Clinic	Preconception advice for women with pre-existing diabetes, thyroid conditions, polycystic ovaries.	Outpatient Clinic
Midwifery Group Practice	This is a continuity of care model were the woman has her antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care provided by a small group of midwives. Women will be referred for medical review if clinically indicated

Antenatal Shared Care (ANSC)

Bookings, referral process and contacts

How to refer a woman

Canterbury Hospital - low risk pregnancy

RPA Women and Babies - low risk pregnancy

RPA Birth Centre

Canterbury Hospital - early or high risk pregnancy

RPA Women and Babies - early or urgent high risk pregnancy

RPA Women and Babies

Canterbury Hospital

Maternity bookings within Sydney Local Health District (SLHD)

Maternity bookings external to SLHD

RPA Women and Babies referral postcodes

Suburbs (A-D)

Suburbs (E-N)

Suburbs (P-Z)

Canterbury Hospital referral postcodes

Suburbs (A-D)

Suburbs (E-N)

Suburbs (P-Z)

RPA Women and Babies

Canterbury Hospital

Routine clinics

Specialist pregnancy related clinics and services

Specialist womens clinic

Canterbury Hospital

Routine Clinics

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