Your GP Obstetric Shared Care Team are big believers in the power of staying in the loop! Your ongoing dedication and active participation in the program play a pivotal role in making it a success!

We are thrilled to bring you the latest developments and pertinent updates in our Obstetric Shared Care Program, delivered promptly to keep you informed and engaged.

Hello,

Reflecting on the past 12 months, it’s evident that our South Australian GP Obstetric Shared Care Program has made significant strides. Together, we’ve achieved numerous successes, celebrated impactful initiatives, shared compelling stories, and paved the way for exciting opportunities in the future.

What a remarkable year it has been! The privilege of bringing our newsletter to your inbox every 4-8 weeks has been a joy, and we’re thrilled to cap off 2023 with some noteworthy updates and program highlights as we eagerly anticipate the adventures that 2024 holds.

Our Statewide GP Obstetric Shared Care Program has not only consistently excelled but has become a premier provider of antenatal healthcare, thanks to the dedication of you, our accredited GPs. The program’s resilience, growth, and commitment to comprehensive care have significantly reduced hospital outpatient visits and unnecessary admissions, ensuring uninterrupted care for pregnant women and families.

Key achievements for 2023 include a multitude of CPD educational activities, engaging podcasts and webinars, 824 GPs participating in the program, and a substantial decrease in Corrective Actions received—a testament to our collective commitment to excellence.

Our strategic focus on rural and remote areas remains unwavering, exemplified by the success of recent CPD activities in Mt Gambier, where 42 GPs and Midwives participated.

The introduction of Project ECHO into our CPD offerings in 2024 is yet another exciting development, empowering GPs with the latest updates and guidelines through case-based learning.

As we conclude the year, we extend our deepest gratitude to our support network, including SA Health, Public Hospitals, Heads of Units, Obstetric Consultants, Allied-Health Professionals, our Expert Presenters, Rebecca Smith at Maternal, Neonatal & Gynaecology Community of Practice, and our dedicated Obstetric Shared Care Midwife Coordinators, Sarah Clark, Genevieve Schmidt, and Siobhan Lucas and our much loved GP Advisor, Jenni Goold. Collaborating with participating GPs, women, and families has been instrumental in managing risks and ensuring the sustainability of our program.

The recent merger with GP Partners Australia and GPEx opens up new possibilities, allowing us to enhance our offerings, particularly in the development of online antenatal care modules set to launch in 2024.

In closing, I want to express my sincere thanks for your continued support.

From my team and myself, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May the holiday season bring joy, and the coming year be filled with shared successes and meaningful connections.

With warmest wishes,

Leanne.

Merry Christmas!

Warmest wishes this Christmas to our incredible presenters at this year’s GP Obstetric Shared Care CPD Activities – your support and expertise have illuminated our program, bringing invaluable knowledge to our accredited GPs and immense gratitude from my entire team

Leanne and Team

SA Pregnancy Record

Please be advised that the SA Pregnancy Record has undertaken the yearly review and Version 16 is now available.

Please note:

  • MR-31 A4 Folder – 19046051 – A4 Folder SA Pregnancy Record – EMR Sites Only (FMC)
    • This version will no longer be printed.
  • MR-31 A5 Wallet – 19046052 – A5 Wallet SA Pregnancy Record
    • This version will remain the same but renamed as follows:
      • Description: SA Pregnancy Record Wallet – Full/Complete Version – Pages 1-20 
      • Item Reference: MR-31 20 pages 
  • New version – Only for NALHN and WCHN.
    • This version is identical to the 20 page version except it has the first four pages removed.
    • The first four pages will be printed at the sites which are using the new processing system. These four pages will then be added to the rest of the SAPR and then continue use as per normal practices.
    • It will be named as follows:
      • Description: SA Pregnancy Record Wallet – Excluding History Section – Pages 5-20 
      • Item Reference: MR-31 16 pages

The existing SA Pregnancy Records referenced ‘Version 15, January 2023’ must continue to be used until the 1st January 2024.

All sites are to ensure there is adequate stock on hand of the existing version to ensure a transition date occurs as required.

New stock will be made available from mid-December for ordering and additional emails will be sent when this occurs.

The SA Pregnancy Record has undergone its annual review with several significant changes to commence from 1st January 2024. View the summary of the changes to the SA Pregnancy Record.

I would like to draw your attention to page 3 of the document that outlines changes related to reproductive genetic carrier screening.

The summary includes a link to the NSW consumer resource that we are recommending.

Better Health Coaching Service

The Better Health Coaching Service (BHCS) website is live, and clinicians are now able to refer eligible patients using the online referral form. 

The BHCS is an evidence based, confidential, telephone-based program designed to help South Australians be active, eat well and reduce the risk of chronic disease. Similar to Get Healthy, the program links participants with a qualified health professional from either nutrition, exercise physiology or psychology backgrounds and provides up to 10 coaching calls over six months.

The BHCS program is free to eligible South Australians who:

  • are aged between 18 and 74 years;
  • have a BMI of 27 or more (pre-pregnancy BMI for patients referred during pregnancy); and
  • are seeking support to build and maintain healthy lifestyle habits.

Timing of Birth Webinar – 7 February 2024

No Butts Baby

The SA Preterm Birth Prevention Project team have been looking at strategies to improve smoking cessation rates amongst pregnant women. One strategy is health promotion and development of relevant consumer resources.

Two consumer videos have previously been developed in NSW, which have been adapted and co-badged by SA Health.  

  1. Myths and Facts – Addresses common misconceptions around smoking cessation and shows what is happening to the baby when a mother smokes.
  2. Supporting to quit – Addresses strategies to quit, available support, Quitline, NRT.

These videos can be used in antenatal appointments, played in antenatal waiting areas, uploaded to online consumer pregnancy platforms, and shared on local health network social media accounts.

Please click on the link below to download:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/j7ob9p1glu23jz71uzwyp/h?rlkey=hs2ztuh69zxrtpez26u2sjyww&dl=0

Consider use of these resources with your patients.

Please utilise additional resources that have been co-designed by Aboriginal consumers and communities, such as Stronger Bubba Born, where appropriate.

GP OSC Program

Stay tuned as we gear up for an exciting 2024 CPD calendar with so much to come!

Coming Soon 2024

Introductory Certificate in Infant Mental Health

  • Dates: Term 1: 31st January to 3rd April 2024 incl.
  • Duration: 10-week course held during Term 1 on Wednesdays 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, face-to-face
  • Venue: Helen Mayo House, located at Glenside Health Services, Mulberry Road, Glenside
Register

Murray Bridge Health Professional Dinner

Speakers:

  • Vicki Durston, Director Policy, Advocacy & Support Services
  • Dr Tonia Mezzini, Sexual Health Physician

Details:

  • Date: Tuesday 6 February 2024
  • Time: 5:30pm for a 6:00pm start – 8:00pm
  • Location: Bridgeport Hotel
  • Address: 2 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge, SA
  • RSVP: Tuesday 30 January
RSVP

OPAL-3: Determining the Optimal Dose of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Pregnancy for Women with Moderate Status

Background

The omega-3 test, delivered through SAMSAS as a part of the Omega-3 Test-and-Treat Program
measures a woman’s omega-3 status.

What we know about omega-3, pregnancy and preterm birth

  • Pregnant women with low total omega-3 status early in pregnancy are at a higher risk of early
    preterm birth and may benefit from omega-3 supplementation.
  • Conversely, women with sufficient total omega-3 status are at a lower risk, and additional omega-
    3 supplementation might not be advantageous.

What we don’t know about omega-3, pregnancy and preterm birth

  • We lack guidance for women with moderate omega-3 status regarding the appropriate omega-3
    dose. Currently the advice we provide to women in this range is ‘no action required’

What’s Required From GPs

  • For GPs: Your role in this study is to recruit participants, you do not need to provide any study advice to women. Regardless of whether participants are in the randomised groups or reference groups, they should continue following the usual guidance of the Test and Treat Program. The only difference is that some women in this study will be taking additional supplements. More information on how to recruit is provided in the next slides.
  • The OPAL-3 team will be responsible for maintaining ongoing contact with participants after you have recruited them. GPs will then receive a letter indicating that their patient has enrolled in the study. You are not responsible for ongoing communication with them about this study.

Study Eligibility

  • Pregnant women
  • Less than 21 weeks pregnant
  • Singleton pregnancy
  • Known omega-3 results

Perinatal Practice Guidelines

View