Early Pregnancy Assessment Service

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

For the South and North: This clinic sees women with recurrent presentations for hyperemesis gravidarum, PV bleeding, abdominal cramps, suspected ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage who are haemo-dynamically stable and under 14 weeks gestation.   If 14+ weeks and haemodynamically stable please refer to the Pregnancy Assessment Centre.

Please note that patients who require an operative procedure are not guaranteed to have it on the day of attendance.

For the North West: Women who experience early pregnancy complication are seen by their GP who can then refer to the Gynaecology Outpatients Clinic at Mersey Community Hospital or the North West Regional Hospital. If urgent women can present to the nearest emergency department.

This clinic sees women with bleeding, abdominal cramps, suspected ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage who are haemo-dynamically stable under 20

All referrals should comply with the Referral Standards and specifically include:

  • History of the pregnancy including gestation
  • Details of the history of the presenting complaint including any treatment.
  • Note if Anti D was given.
  • Copies of investigations especially ultrasound report.
  • Details of relevant physical findings including speculum examination if appropriate
  • Indicate if an O & G Registrar has been contacted.

Tests

  • Antenatal bloods (if time) especially group and rhesus factor
  • Consider quantitative BHCG
  • Consider pelvic ultrasound

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Obstetrics clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

To refer a patient, please utilise Primary Health Tasmania's Standard Referral Templates.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Emergency

Haemo-dynamically unstable patients

Suspected ectopic pregnancy

Urgent / category 1

Early miscarriage

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency:

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent:

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine:

Next available appointment