Obstetrics & Gynaecology Dept.

The Obstetric and Gynaecology Department caters to women of diverse backgrounds and is proud of its reputation for caring for these clients in a culturally sensitive manner.

Some of the specialist areas of care are:

• Pre-pregnancy counselling
• Ante natal care ( including shared care)
• Antenatal Education services
• Postnatal Clinic
• Home Visiting Midwives Clinic
• Gynaecology Clinics
• Pre-admission Clinic
• Menopause Clinic
• Continence Clinic
• Breast Clinic
• Family Advisory and Family Planning Clinic

DELIVERY SUITE
Delivery Suite is comprised of six birthing rooms, two birthing Units and its own Caesarean Section theatre and recovery . A 24 hour Emergency/Outpatients service is also run from the area.

The Birthing Units offer care for women with uncomplicated pregnancies, giving women and their families the opportunity to participate fully in their pregnancy, labour and birth in a home like environment.

Women and their partners are offered early discharge and follow up by the home visiting midwives or transfer to the postnatal floor 24 hours after birth.

Women are encouraged to participate and discuss all aspects of their care with either the Midwife or Medical Officers on duty.

POSTNATAL & GYNAECOLOGY UNIT
The midwives who staff this area are highly motivated and caring group of people. They promote and support breast feeding, and some are Lactation Consultants. The hospital policy encourages rooming in so the neonates are with their mother unless requested otherwise. There is a sick baby nursery which is utilised for short term problems, or where the baby is stabilised prior to retrieval. The women requiring Gynaecology surgery are also cared for in a caring and friendly environment.
 
SPECIALISTS MIDWIFERY PERSONNEL
Team Midwives (Mothers with Midwives Group): This small group of midwives provides total care for a group of clients who choose this model of care and who are low risk clients.

• Mental Health: A service is provided  through the Mental Health team to support women who are at risk of developing post-natal depression and for others who have a past history of mental illness.
• Gynaecology Patient Coordinator:  Sees the patients in pre-admission clinic, establishes clinical pathway for individualised directed care, provides support and counselling along with post discharge monitoring.
• Continence Nurse Adviser:  Works independently as well as in conjunction with the doctors to assist women to improve their continence.
• Shared Care Programme Coordinator:  Liaise with the General Practitioner and the Unit promoting the GP services with the women using the Maternity unit and ensuring quality of care between the two services.
• Breast Care Nurse: Our Specialist Breast Nurse, Karen Redman is extensively involved in all aspects of patient care with a particular focus on women undergoing surgery for breast cancer. The role is one of advocacy, support and the provision of information to women and their families during this difficult time. This means Karen works across a variety of settings including outpatients clinics, wards, and Hospital at Home. Karen works closely with a number of hospital and community agencies to ensure the care a women receives is well coordinated and meets her individual needs.

The Obstetric and Gynaecology Department is affiliated with the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. The division can also provide a post graduate midwifery programme for newly graduate midwives.