New specialist pregnancy clinic at Tamworth Hospital

November 15, 2011

Women at a higher risk of developing complications during pregnancy have been benefiting from a new specialist clinic at Tamworth Hospital, the Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner, and the Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, said today.

Since August, Dr Henry Murray, a maternal fetal medicine specialist from John Hunter Hospital’s Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, has been visiting Tamworth once a month to provide a high-risk pregnancy clinic for mothers with medical issues that may affect their pregnancy.

This month’s clinic is taking place at Tamworth Hospital today.

The clinic allows doctors to take high-quality 3D ultrasound images to see a detailed anatomy of the baby, placenta and umbilical cord – allowing the staff to detect conditions such as club foot (a common fetal abnormality) and major placenta previa (when the placenta covers the cervix).

Mrs Skinner said the establishment of the clinic meant some women with high-risk pregnancies could receive specialist treatment closer to home.

“In the past, women from all over North West NSW have travelled to Newcastle to access this specialised service,” Mrs Skinner said.

“Often they have to take time off work and travel long distances away from their families to have consultation and the testing done, which can be stressful,” she said.
“Any additional service that will lessen the burden will definitely go a long way in helping pregnant women and their families.”

Mrs Skinner said the establishment of the clinic would also increase Tamworth Hospital’s capacity to train junior doctors in obstetrics.

“Previously junior doctors wanting experience in these kinds of antenatal procedures would have needed to spend time in Newcastle, but now they can learn locally from experts in the field,” she said.

Mr Anderson commended the local clinicians for their time and commitment in providing this new service.

“I understand more than 30 women have received specialist testing close to home since the first clinic was held in August and I look forward to more local women benefiting from this service in future,” he said.

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