Antenatal Shared Care (ANSC) offers a flexible approach to pregnancy care, designed for expectant mothers who are considered suitable for this model. This program fosters a collaborative partnership between your trusted General Practitioner (GP) and specialized hospital services.
What are the Goals of the ANSC Program?
The ANSC program is structured to deliver several key benefits:
- Enhanced Flexibility and Choice: Providing pregnant women with greater control over their antenatal care journey, allowing for appointments within their community and closer to home.
- Continuity of Care: Building a consistent care team, often involving a familiar GP, which can be comforting and beneficial throughout the pregnancy.
- Culturally Sensitive Care: Addressing the diverse needs and preferences of women from various cultural backgrounds, ensuring respectful and tailored care.
- GP Skill Development: Empowering General Practitioners by enhancing their expertise in managing antenatal care, contributing to a broader community healthcare capacity.
- Improved Communication: Strengthening the lines of communication between GPs and hospitals, creating a more integrated and seamless healthcare experience for pregnant women.
Becoming a Recognized ANSC Provider for GPs
For General Practitioners in South Western Sydney Local Health District who wish to offer ANSC to their pregnant patients planning to give birth at local hospitals, recognition as an ANSC provider is required. This involves a straightforward process:
- Application: GPs need to complete the application form to formally express their interest and commitment to the program.
- Mandatory Orientation Session: Attendance at an ANSC orientation session is essential. This session provides GPs with comprehensive information about the program guidelines, protocols, and collaborative care framework.
Maintaining ANSC Provider Recognition through CPD
To ensure the highest standards of care and keep providers updated with the latest advancements, recognized ANSC GPs are required to engage in annual pregnancy-related Continuous Professional Development (CPD). Maintaining recognition necessitates completing 3 hours of CPD activities each year, and evidence of attendance should be provided to SWSPHN.
CPD hours can be accumulated through various relevant activities. To ensure the CPD undertaken aligns with ANSC requirements, GPs are encouraged to consult the list of eligible ANSC topics provided by SWSPHN.
Stay Informed with the Baby Monitor Newsletter
Stay up-to-date with the latest news and information regarding Antenatal Shared Care by accessing the Baby Monitor newsletter. The February 2025 issue, Issue 24, is now available for download. You can access it directly here or find it within the newsletter folder in the document section. This newsletter is a valuable resource for both GPs and pregnant women interested in the ANSC program.
Quick Access to HealthPathways
For streamlined access to relevant clinical guidelines and pathways, utilize this HealthPathways quick link. HealthPathways provides GPs with easily accessible and locally relevant information to support best practice in patient care.
Maternity Service Contact Numbers by Hospital
For direct communication and referrals, please find the maternity service phone numbers for hospitals within the district in the table below:
| Contacts | Bankstown | Bowral | Campbelltown | Camden | Fairfield | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANC Fax | 9722 8398 | 4861 0187 | 4634 4700 | 4654 6170 | 9616 8521 | 8738 3216 |
| ANC Phone | 9722 8333 | 4861 0224 | 4634 4963 | 4654 6222 | 9616 8507 | 8738 4197 |
| Booking No. | 9722 8333 | 4861 0224 | 4634 4963 | 4654 6222 | 9616 8507 | 8738 4197 |
| Birthing Unit | 9722 7870 | 4861 0224 | 4634 4099 | 9616 8260 | 8738 5626 | |
| Genetics Clinic | 8738 4665 | (district-wide service) | ||||
| GP Liaison Midwife | 0484 627 228 or 0402 792 820 | |||||
| Pregnancy Complications | ||||||
| ED or EPAS | 9722 8333 | ED | ED or EPAS 4634 4724 / 0437 963 828 | ED | ED or EPAS 8738 5632 | |
| > 40 | Birthing Unit | |||||
| Urgent Referral | Birthing Unit | |||||
| Advice | ANSC Liaison Midwife |
This table provides essential contact information for maternity services across various hospitals, facilitating efficient communication and referrals when needed.
