Resources for general practitioners


GPs participating in the ANSC program are offered resources to promote consistent care for GP shared care patients.

GP ANTENATAL SHARED CARE PROTOCOL

The GP Antenatal Shared Care Protocol is intended as a guide for general practitioners participating in the St George and Sutherland Antenatal Shared Care (ANSC) Program. GPs participating in the ANSC program will be expected to adhere to the agreed guidelines as outlined in the GP Antenatal Shared Care Protocol when caring for their antenatal shared care patients.

St George and Sutherland GP ANSC protocol (updated August 2023)
St George and Sutherland GP ANSC summary protocol  (updated August 2023)

Please ensure you are referring to the most up to date versions by clearing your browser history.

Fetal Movements

Regular enquiry about fetal movements is an important aspect of ascertaining fetal wellbeing.

Movements matter – comprehensive suite of resources for both health professionals and consumers developed by the Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth. Translated information also available

Safer Baby Bundle – online learning module developed by the Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth covering 5 elements : Smoking Cessation, Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR), Decreased Fetal Movements (DFM), Side Sleeping and Timing of Birth.

Safer Baby Bundle Handbook and Resource Guide – Handbook developed by the Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth covering 5 elements : Smoking Cessation, Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR), Decreased Fetal Movements (DFM), Side Sleeping and Timing of Birth.

Perinatal mental health

Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE): https://www.cope.org.au/

Screening and assessment tools

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale translated and validated for 18 languages (4.00 MB)

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Mental Health Care in the Perinatal Period (October 2017)

external link beyondblue – provides access to a variety of information regarding perinatal mental health

Psychological Support Services (PSS) provides FREE short term face-to-face psychological services to people living in the CESPHN region. Priority groups include women experiencing perinatal depression from conception to 12 months after birth.

sms4dads – A free service that delivers three texts each week with tips, information and links to other services to help fathers understand and connect with their baby, support their partner and monitor their wellbeing.

Dadvice – Beyond Blue tips, practical advice and support for fathers.

Prenatal screening

external link Search for certified operators to perform nuchal translucency ultrasound scans – RANZCOG Nuchal Translucency: Ultrasound, education and monitoring program
Thalassaemia screening in pregnancy (386 KB)
Haemoglobin EPG screening flowchart 2015

Additional information on a range of genetic matters can be accessed from the NSW Health Centre for Genetics Education and the National Health and Medical Research Council – NHMRC.

MULTICULTURAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT
VACCINATIONS AND PREGNANCY

Pre pregnancy information

Women planning pregnancy should have their vaccination needs assessed as part of any pre-conception health check. In particular, consider vaccination for:

  • hepatitis B
  • measles
  • mumps
  • rubella
  • varicella

Further Information:

EDUCATION OPTIONS

To maintain affiliation with the ANSC program, there are ongoing educational requirements for each RACGP triennium. Over the three-year period (2020-2022), GPs are required to accrue at least 12 CPD points in either antenatal and/or postnatal specific educational activities. Relevant educational activities can be completed as face-to-face (CESPHN or external events) or as online 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 for 2022 can be viewed in the Maternal Health Calendar and will also be posted on the events webpage and Sydney Health Weekly.

external link RACGP Courses
There are a number of face to face and online courses on the RACGP website that you can complete that can earn you both CPD points and Antenatal Shared Care Points. We just ask that the course that you complete has a component of Antenatal education included in them. Some suggested topics include pre-eclampsia and hypertension in pregnancy, common conditions in pregnancy, gestational diabetes, and miscarriage. If you are unsure whether the course is suitable please email  ansc@cesphn.com.au