Antenatal Shared Care Update – Royal Hospital for Women (RHW)

June 2026

The Royal Hospital for Women (RHW) has provided updated information for GPs participating in Antenatal Shared Care (ANSC). This includes refreshed contact pathways, referral processes, clinical placement opportunities, and updates on RhD NIPT, vaccination guidance, and current research recruitment.

Contact Details for RHW

GP Enquiries

Email: SESLHD-RHWGPSCEnquiries@health.nsw.gov.au

ANSC Midwife Contact

• Clinical Coordinator Midwife – Monday to Friday
• For non‑urgent clinical advice
  Phone: 0417 995 153 (8:00am–4:30pm)
  If unanswered, please leave a voicemail or text message.

Obstetric Doctors

Phone: 9382 6111
Ask the operator to page the on‑call Obstetric Registrar for ANSC.

Obstetric Medicine Physician Registrar

Available Monday–Friday during business hours
Phone: 9382 6111 (ask operator to page the Registrar)

Urgent Advice – 24/7 (from 20 weeks pregnancy)

Birth Unit: 0439 869 035 or 9382 6100

Referral Pathways: RHW Antenatal Service

Women referred for ANSC are typically allocated to:

• Dr Louise Fay
• Dr Stephen Coogan
• Dr Sara Ooi

Midwifery Group Practice (MGP)

If a woman prefers MGP and capacity exists, continue to refer to an ANSC obstetrician. RHW will allocate an appropriate MGP obstetrician internally.

Obstetric Medicine Referral

Provide an additional electronic referral via the Antenatal Medical Clinic tab.
Women are typically allocated to:

• Professor Sandra Lowe
• Dr Amanda Beech
• Dr Ruby Chang

Haematology Referral

Provide an additional electronic referral via the Antenatal Haematology Clinic tab.
Women are typically allocated to:

• Dr Giselle Kidson‑Gerber

Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) Referral

Refer via the MFM tab for high‑risk obstetric care, fetal assessment, genetic counselling, or specialist MFM input.
Women are typically allocated to:

• Dr Willem Gheysen
• Dr Rita Caldas
• Dr Antonia Shand

Perinatal Mental Health Referral

Women must be planning to birth at RHW.
Send electronic referrals via the Antenatal & Perinatal Mental Health tab.

The team also supports partners of babies admitted to NICU.

RhD NIPT

RHW Maternity Outpatients now offers routine non‑invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for fetal RhD status for all RhD‑negative women between 12 and 26 weeks’ gestation.

Key points:

• Optimal accuracy from 18 weeks due to increased fetal DNA.
• Earlier samples may be inconclusive and require repeat testing.
• To ensure results are available before 28‑week Anti‑D, testing should ideally occur before 26 weeks.
• This screening supports targeted use of Anti‑D prophylaxis.

Vaccinations During Pregnancy

Vaccination remains a critical component of antenatal care.

Current recommendations:

• Influenza vaccine – Recommended at any stage of pregnancy, year‑round.
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough) vaccine – Recommended from 20 weeks in every pregnancy.
• RSV vaccine (Abrysvo®) – Recommended from 28 weeks to protect newborns from severe RSV disease.

If vaccines are not available in your practice, encourage women to attend their local pharmacy (eligible vaccines are free of charge) or discuss vaccination with their RHW midwife.

Clinical Business Rules (CBRs)

ANSC GPs must follow the Royal Hospital for Women Clinical Business Rules to ensure safe, evidence‑based care.

Access the RHW CBRs:
Royal Hospital for Women Policies | South Eastern Sydney Local Health District

Evidence‑based antenatal care resource:
Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines

RHW Clinical Placements – 2026

Obstetric Clinical Placements

Time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Location: Antenatal Ward, Level 4
Dates (Wednesdays):

• 17 June
• 5 August
• 14 October
• 9 December
  Limit: 6 attendees

Antenatal Doctors & Midwives Clinic

Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Location: Maternity Outpatients, Level 0
Dates:

• 29 June
• 30 June
• 1 July
• 31 August
• 1 September
• 2 September

Neonatal Clinical Placements

Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Location: Newborn Care, Level 1
Date (Tuesday):

• 13 October
  Limit: 5 attendees

Registration Contact

Antenatal Shared Care Clinical Coordinator (Mon–Fri)
Phone: 0417 995 153
Email: SESLHD-RHWGPSCEnquiries@health.nsw.gov.au

Placement dates and attendee limits may change.

Menopause Hub GP Clinical Placements – 2026

ANSC GPs are invited to participate in the RHW Menopause Hub GP Clinical Placements.

Times: 8:30–11:00am or 1:30–4:00pm
Dates & Topics:

• Tues 7 July – Menopause after Cancer
• Mon 3 August – Medically Complex Menopause
• Tues 1 September – Menopause after Cancer
• Tues 13 October – Menopause after Cancer
• Tues 3 November – Hormone & Mood
• Wed 9 December – Medically Complex Menopause

Cost: Free
Registration:
Gill Neil (CNC Menopause)
Email: SESLHD-RHWmenohub@health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 02 9382 6359
(Maximum 2 GPs per session; must be ANSC‑registered)

TTAP Study Recruitment

GPs are encouraged to share the flyer with eligible women (<17 weeks, history of asthma, booking at RHW).

Eligibility

• <17 weeks pregnant
• History of asthma
• Planning maternity care at RHW

Contact

Research Midwife
Phone: 0409 702 263
Email: SESLHD-RHW-TTAP@health.nsw.gov.au

Please support recruitment by sharing the flyer during early pregnancy consultations.