Maternity updates for GPs

Posted on:

  1. Early booking and screening poster (below) for display in GP practices encouraging patients to self refer early for antenatal care
  2. Obstetric physiotherapy referrals. Please email huh-tr.pelvichealthphysiohuh@nhs.net to refer patients for obstetric physiotherapy. There is no referral form but please add as much detail as possible in the email. Eligibility criteria are:
    • patient is living in hackney or
    • having their baby in Homerton hospital 
    •  >12 gestation
    • pain associated / caused by pregnancy  (no longstanding issues)
    • pelvic floor dysfunction during pregnancy
    • can be referred up to 3 months post natal 
  3. Update to the care pathways for pregnant patients between 16–18 weeks gestation.
    • Previous pathway: Patients in this gestational range were routinely seen in Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU).
    • Updated guidance: EPAU is not always the most suitable environment. We anticipate this change will affect approximately 2–4 additional patients per week, and activity will be heavily audited. 
    • Patients at 16 weeks with acute problems (e.g. bleeding, pain) can present to the Emergency Obstetric Unit (EOU) for review.
      • Midwives will triage these patients and then they will see a doctor.
      • The gynae team can assist if acuity is high.
      • If admission is required (e.g. inevitable miscarriage), this should be to a maternity area.
    • Hyperemesis presentations remain unchanged — patients should attend A&E and follow the hyperemesis pathway.
    • If the patient is not booked at Homerton, they should be referred to their local unit.
    • If the patient is unbooked, they should attend EPAU for dating.
    • For all other issues, the GP remains the appropriate referral point.

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