Outpatient Clinics

For the assessment, comprehensive care and management of pregnant women including pre-natal diagnostic testing and high risk pregnancies

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Scope

THS North West Region

Does not manage high risk pregnancies. Patients are referred to Northern Region.

Statewide

Antenatal care will either be midwifery led or collaborative models.  Women will be directed to the most suitable model based upon clinical risk and maternal preference.

Additional information:

• For Termination of pregnancy see Termination of Pregnancy page.
• For infertility see Infertility page.
• Information about available maternity services can be found on the Tasmanian Department of Health website (Pregnancy, Birth and Early Parenting).
• For Antenatal Care see Antenatal Care page.

South

• The Women’s Health Clinic is the statewide tertiary referral centre for High Risk Pregnancy planning and management.
• A Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Service (PIMHS) is available as a separate clinic.
• A specific Prenatal Diagnostic Testing Clinic is available via the Abnormal Prenatal Screening page.
• For pregnancy complications see Early Pregnancy Assessment Service and Pregnancy Assessment Centre.
• Please see protocol for managing Subclinical Hypothyroidism during Pregnancy.

North

• Access to perinatal mental health team within THS North is via referral to Perinatal Mental Health Clinician within the obstetrics clinic.
• Genetic counselling is organised as required.  Amniocentesis is available.
• For pregnancy complications see Early Pregnancy Assessment Service and Pregnancy Assessment Centre.

North West

• Access to perinatal mental health can be arranged within the clinic.
• Women with pregnancy related issues should contact 1800 940 766 (MCH) or 1800 940 747 (NWRH) for advice.

Emergency conditions

Emergency conditions/symptoms include (not an exhaustive list):

• Signs of severe pre-eclampsia
• Haemo-dynamically unstable patients
• Suspected ectopic pregnancy

Referral process

Where available (currently THS North and North West), please refer via HealthLink eReferral through your software system (either Best Practice, or Medical Director). For instructions, see Quick Guide: Creating an eReferral.

Where eReferral is unavailable, a referral using the Statewide Antenatal Template is required for all new referrals in line with the Referral Standards. This template can also be added as an attachment to eReferrals.

Referrals must include patient and referrer demographics, history of presenting complaint, clinical examination findings, medications, allergies, relevant past and family history and relevant investigations for the comprehensive assessment of patient risk.  Where insufficient information is provided the referral may be returned for clarification of details.  See Referral Non-acceptance.

Referrals are triaged to appropriate specialist care clinics according to the information provided.  Where the referrer or patient has special concerns or needs please detail these in the referral under “additional information”.

For further information:

• Australian National Standards for Pregnancy Care
• RHH Maternity Information Package
• LGH and NWRH Maternity Information Package

Consider additional national services The Australian Parenting Website and Red Nose (SIDS and Kids).

Referral template

For use by health professionals only

• Referral template - Medical Director
• Referral template - Best Practice

Additional information

• Healthy Smiles for Two pilot project enables eligible pregnant women who live in the North West of Tasmania to be provided priority dental appointments with Oral Health Services Tasmania at a North West clinic.