Maintaining your GP ANSC status

To maintain your affiliation with the GP Antenatal Share Care (ANSC) program, all ANSC GPs are required to fulfil ongoing educational requirements each RACGP triennium. All GPs are required to complete at least 12 CPD activity points relating to either pre-conception, antenatal or postnatal care.

You can complete external educational activities, either face-to-face or online. Refer to linked information sheet for suggested online modules. Please note, CESPHN does not have access to your RACGP record. Forward supporting documentation for any external activities to ansc@cesphn.com.au.

Educational requirements will need to be completed by 3 February, 2023 for you to remain affiliated with your relevant GP ANSC program in 2023-2025.  

Syphilis in pregnancy: screening and management guidelines

Infectious syphilis rates in women in NSW have more than doubled since 2017, largely in women of reproductive age, increasing risks for congenital syphilis. Since 2017, there have been nine cases of congenital syphilis, six of which occurred in 2020 - 2021. NSW Health is working on a range of initiatives to combat this rise.

Women at higher risk of syphilis in pregnancy include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women diagnosed with a STI during pregnancy or the preceding 12 months, women who use intravenous drugs and women who have multiple sexual partners. However, infection can, and has, occurred in women without these known risk factors hence the introduction of the second universal syphilis screen at 26 - 28 weeks.

Clinical recommendations for screening

• Screen all pregnant women for syphilis at least twice during pregnancy (serology at first antenatal visit and at 26 - 28 weeks). Higher risk women may require additional tests
• All pregnant women who have received minimal or no antenatal care, or are at risk of missing an appointment, should be opportunistically screened at the service they present at, regardless of gestation
• Consult sexual health or an infectious diseases clinician for all pregnant women with infectious syphilis. Aboriginal women should be offered culturally appropriate referral pathways

Management

• Advise obstetric team
• Seek advice from sexual health or infectious disease specialists

• Treat pregnant women with benzathine benzylpencillin (Pregnancy Category A) as per Australian STI Management Guidelines.:

• Perform contact tracing and test and treat contacts as per ASHM Contact Tracing Guidelines. Your local Sexual Health clinic  or Sexual Health Info Link can also assist.

• Advise to abstain from sexual intercourse for 7 days after treatment

Do you have feedback about the GP ANSC program?

The ANSC program is dedicated to the provision of quality antenatal care and we welcome constructive feedback from GPs to enhance program delivery.   

You can now provide feedback through the CESPHN website on the operations of the ANSC program including applications and orientation, communications, program resources and CPD.  

Program feedback will be discussed at quarterly ANSC Advisory Committee meetings and any urgent feedback will be raised out of session.  

Note: For clinical enquiries and feedback, please contact the GP Liaison Midwife at the relevant hospital.  

NEW Perinatal Mental Health Guideline: Open for Consultation

In the launch of National Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Awareness week, COPE is proud to announce the release of the Draft 2023 Perinatal Mental Health Guideline for public consultation and feedback. 
 
Funded by the Australian Government, COPE has lead the review of the existing Guideline (COPE, 2017) through the dedicated efforts of an established Expert Working Group and specialist Expert Subcommittees.

We invite you, your colleagues and members of the community to provide feedback. 

https://www.cope.org.au/new-draft-perinatal-mental-health-guideline/

Submissions close at 5pm AEST on January 7, 2023.

Psychological Support Services

Psychological Support Services (PSS) Groups are available for individuals and their partners, living in the Central and Eastern Sydney region, who are in the perinatal period and are experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns.

PSS groups are free for eligible patients and are available face to face or via virtual platforms. Sessions are delivered by appropriately trained and qualified mental health professionals.

For more information about PSS and how to refer please see the attached brochure. 

For feedback or program enquiries please contact Maternal Health Program Officers at ansc@cesphn.com.au or on 1300 986 991.