Dear Obstetric Shared Care GPs,

Our GP Partners Australia COVID-19 news hub is updated regularly to bring you the latest developments and information as it becomes available, as well as our own insights to how these changes will impact you and GP Obstetric Shared Care.

Due to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, NALHN has amended their guidelines for the Diabetes Screening Test (Glucose Tolerance Test) in pregnancy.

This is in line with nationwide recommendations and aims to reduce patient waiting times, maintain social distancing and mitigate the risk of community spread of COVID-19. 

Under the changes women will only need to have a fasting blood glucose (one blood test) rather than waiting 2 hours for a second test.

All other routine tests advised at 28 weeks of pregnancy, such as Hemoglobin, Blood group and antibody screen, iron studies, Vitamin D level can still be taken at the same time.

Patients are asked to present this letter to the Pathology staff along with their original blood request form when they attend for their routine glucose tolerance test (GTT).

CLICK HERE to access the letter prepared for your NALHN patients.

The following flow chart has been prepared for your use by the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) providing information about the revised clinical guide for the management of overt diabetes in pregnancy and GDM during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CLICK HERE to access.

“Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – 200 years ago

If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the GP Obstetric Shared Care Program Manager – Leanne at lmarch@gppaustralia.org.au