GPEx is playing a pivotal role in South Australia’s Omega-3 Test-and-Treat Program, running a targeted awareness program to GPs to encourage and facilitate their participation in the program.

Many healthcare professionals are simply unaware that the latest National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Department of Health National Pregnancy Care Guidelines recommend advising pregnant women that supplementation with omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (800mg DHA and 100mg EPA per day) may reduce their risk of preterm birth, if they are low in omega-3.

To identify women with low omega-3 levels, an omega-3 status test is performed on serum collected as a part of the established SAMSAS program, at no extra cost to the patient or health service.

In addition to leveraging our extensive network to recruit clinics to the Test-and-Treat Program, we’ve been working with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) to make it easier for those clinics to participate. This includes:

  • Optimising SAHMRI’s Omega-3 info hub so that information is easier to access
  • Liaising with clinics to facilitate their onboarding to the program
  • Assisting clinics with the provision and tracking of supplements for distribution
  • Helping clinics to integrate their practice software with newly provided SA Pathology templates.

The Omega-3 Test-and-Treat Program is run by SA Pathology and SAHMRI as part of the South Australian Maternal Serum Antenatal Screening program.

GP Guide to Omega-3 Testing