Dr Helen Wiltshire, Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN’s GPLO for Maternity Care
The inaugural GP Antenatal Shared Care workshop was held in Rockhampton on Saturday 20, October 2018. The update was presented by CCQ and the Rockhampton Hospital. It provided an update for GPs who wish to undertake or continue Antenatal Shared care with the CQHHS.
To the best knowledge of the attending GPs, a combined HHS/ GP Shared Care update had not been held in Rockhampton for at least the last 15 years. In total, 20 local GPs attended, as well as 17 other health professionals including midwives, hospital doctors, allied health and medical students.
Presentations
- Dr Peter Ganter, Director of obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) services at Rockhampton hospital, attended for the day and informed us that, for the first time in 20 years, all O&G Staff Specialist positions are filled with permanent staff. It was very helpful to discuss the various approaches to clinical situations and communication.
- Judy Bowler, Associate Midwifery Unit Manager, Rockhampton Hospital, demonstrated the Hospital Maternity website, and the wealth of information contained there for women planning to have a baby in Rockhampton. She clarified the various models of care available.
- Drs Leigh Grant and Theron Moodley , O&G staff specialists, presented case-based discussions to the group. Take home messages were to start Aspirin in those women at high risk of pre-eclampsia, and the role of Calcium supplements also in this group.
- Anne Lorraway, Senior Social Worker Rockhampton Hospital, presented on Domestic and Family Violence in the antenatal period, and the hospital resources and responses available.
- Physiotherapy in the childbearing years was presented by Sherree Cavanagh, Senior Physiotherapist, Women’s and Men’s Health and Continence Services. We learned “CLOSE! LIFT! HIGH! HOLD!” for pelvic floor strength.
- As GPLO Maternity services, I presented other case based discussions covering important screening and management guidelines for common pregnancy issues in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.
- Belinda Crouch, midwife and lactation consultant, gave an engaging talk about the “Fourth Trimester” focusing on Breastfeeding, lactation support and mental health.
Feedback
Feedback has been entirely positive, and GPs are enthusiastic to commence and continue Antenatal Shared care with the support of the Rockhampton Hospital and CQHHS. All attendees reported the learning outcomes of the program either entirely or partially met.
Comments included: “very useful, Excellent workshop, very well organised and very well presented activity.”
There were also requests for further educational activities on weekends, such as gynaecology, sexual health, anaemia in pregnancy, and for more interactive participation from GPs.