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What is Shared Maternity Care?
Shared Maternity Care is a model of care in which the majority of antenatal visits take place in the community with a hospital affiliated General Practitioner (GP). The remaining antenatal visits take place at the hospital at key times. The woman attends the hospital for the baby’s birth and immediate post-natal care. In this model the community based affiliated GP, the hospital based doctors and midwives act as a team in providing community based, safe, holistic and culturally appropriate care.
Clinical Resources
Northern Health Hand Held Record
Northern Health uses its own Hand Held Record (HHR), which is issued to women at their first hospital visit. The HHR is designed to engage women in decisions regarding their maternity care and be the primary communication tool between the woman’s GP and Northern Health.
Shared Maternity Care Coordinator
The shared Maternity Care Coordinator is the person for non-urgent clinical contact for both Shared Maternity Care Affiliates (SMCA) and women. The Shared Maternity Care Coordinator is available between 0800 and 1630, Mon-Fri.
To contact the Shared Maternity Care Coordinator, either ring on 8405 8772 or e-mail maternitysharedcare@nh.org.au
How to become a Shared Maternity Care Affiliate
Pathways to achieve accreditation:
GPs wishing to become a Shared Maternity Care Affiliate at one or more of the following hospitals; The Northern Hospital, Sunshine Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital and the Mercy Hospital for Women, must fulfil ONE of the following criteria:
- DRANZCOG - primary qualification in last 5 years (recertification required)
- Diploma Obstetrics RACOG (no recertification rquired) plus recent involvement in provision of antenatal care
- FRANZCOG/FRACOG
- Significant hospital experience as an antenatal care provider
To apply, please complete the Application for Accreditation Form
Please note applicants must provide contact details of two referees and proof of:
- Current unrestricted medical registration from Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Current Medical Indemnity/Insurance membership
- Evidence to support attainment of one of the above criteria
If the applicant is successful, accreditation is valid for the life of the current triennium in line with the RACGP QA & CPD cycle (2011-2013).
If you don’t meet accreditation requirements:
GPs who do not meet the post graduate/experience requirements may apply to attend ante-natal sessions at one of the hospitals. For more information or to discuss further please contact the GP Liaison Consultant on 8405-8705 or email gpliaison@nh.org.au
Reaccreditation Requirements
Towards the end of the triennium (September 2013), affiliates will be invited to undertake reaccreditation in order to maintain their affiliation. Reaccreditation criteria differ from the criteria required to obtain the initial accreditation.
Pathways for re-accreditation:
GPs wishing to be re-accredited must fulfil ONE of the following criteria:
- Attendance at the annual Shared Maternity Care workshop hosted by one of the four collaborating hospitals
- RACGP CPD activities** specifically related to pregnancy care, pre pregnancy care, post-natal period and neonatal care totalling 10 RACGP category 2 points.
- Supervised Ante natal Session
- Alternative Activities**. You are invited to submit CPD activities directly related to pregnancy care, pre pregnancy care, post-natal period and neonatal care equivalent to 10 category 2 RACGP points for consideration. This could take the form of a practice based group-learning module.
To re-apply, please complete the Application for Reaccreditation Form
Online learning**
The RACGP online learning platform gplearning offers several pregnancy related modules that can assist GPs in meeting their professional development requirements to maintain their accreditation.
Education:
Mercy Hospital for Women Antenatal Seminar Series click here | 
