Your June Antenatal Shared Care provider update No images? Click here Click the buttons below for the latest updates from your affiliate hospital Antenatal Shared Care update Important statement: COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant or breast-feeding women The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have released the following joint statement regarding COVID-19 Vaccine for pregnant or breast-feeding women: ‘RANZCOG and ATAGI recommend that pregnant women are routinely offered Pfizer mRNA vaccine (Cominarty) at any stage of pregnancy. This is because the risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 is significantly higher for pregnant women and their unborn baby. Global surveillance data from large numbers of pregnant women have not identified any significant safety concerns with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines given at any stage of pregnancy. Furthermore, there is also evidence of antibody in cord blood and breastmilk, which may offer protection to infants through passive immunity. Pregnant women are encouraged to discuss the decision in relation to timing of vaccination with their health professional. Women who are trying to become pregnant in life do not need to delay vaccination or avoid becoming pregnant after vaccination.’ The COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy hasn’t been updated yet, however the website advises it is under review. All NSW Health documents are being reviewed and updated as required, including the online booking systems. NSW Health safety notice: Opioid use during early labour The NSW Maternal and Perinatal Serious Adverse Event Review have identified several incidents due to suboptimal use and inappropriate care planning involving opioid analgesia during ‘early labour’. ANSC GPs are encouraged to discuss pain management during labour with their patients, with particular reference to self-administering pain medication. Please refer to full safety notice. Women in labour should avoid opioid analgesia or psychotropic medication (eg. morphine, oxycodone, codeine and tempazepam) for pain during early labour. Women who require opioid analgesia during ‘early labour’ require comprehensive maternal and fetal assessment and midwifery support. Midwifery units within the CESPHN region are reviewing their management procedures relevant to this safety notice. Reducing third and fourth degree perineal tears: Translated versions of Reducing Third and Fourth Degree Perineal Tears Information Sheet developed by Women’s Healthcare Australasia are now available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese Simplified, Indonesian, Mongolian, Nepali and English. The information sheet aims to encourage shared decision making, informing women about their risk of a tear and what can be done to reduce their chance of experiencing a third or fourth-degree tear. The information is designed to be given to women at an antenatal appointment between 30-36 weeks. It has been developed by a consumer working group with medical and midwifery input. New service: Domestic and Family Violence Assist Central and Eastern Sydney PHN is launching a new service in July, DFV Assist, to enhance the capacity of primary care providers to identify and appropriately respond to domestic and family violence (DFV) and facilitate referral pathways between primary care and DFV services to ensure a coordinated response and improve outcomes for patients. DFV Assist is offering:
Our first CPD webinar “Responding to Family and Domestic Abuse and Violence in Primary Care” is coming up on Thursday 1 July at 7.00 pm. Please click here to register. Contact: Stopping syphilis Notifications of syphilis in women of child-bearing age are increasing, raising serious concerns for the risk of congenital syphilis. In NSW, in the first half of 2020 alone there were two cases of congenital syphilis (compared with a total of three in the preceding three years). Screening in pregnancy, including re-screening of women at higher risk of syphilis, is key in preventing this devastating outcome, followed up with timely treatment and referral into specialist care. Sexual partners must be rapidly identified and treated. Consultation with a specialist clinician is recommended for all cases of syphilis in pregnancy. The local Sexual Health Clinic can help with all aspects of syphilis management including interpretation of results, treatment and contact tracing. For further information please read the attached document. Reminder to complete 12 CPD points for 2020-2022 triennium GPs participating in an ANSC program are required to accrue at least 12 CPD points in either antenatal and/or postnatal specific educational activities over each RACGP triennium (2020-2022). Activities may include either CPD Accredited Activities (previously Cat 1) and/ or CPD Activities (previously Cat 2). Educational activities can be completed as relevant face-to-face events or webinars (CESPHN or external events) or on-line modules. Upcoming CESPHN events are posted in our events calendar and Sydney Health Weekly. You can also view previous CPD webinars by visiting CESPHN YouTube page. Please keep your records up to date by forwarding a copy of your CPD statement to ansc@cesphn.com.au. For feedback or program enquiries please contact Maternal Health Program Officers at ansc@cesphn.com.au or on 1300 986 991. |