Recognised Antenatal Shared Care providers were given the opportunity for hands-on experience at an ANSC Skills Day presented by SWSPHN last Wednesday, 8 October.
GPs who attended had the chance to enhance their practical antenatal skills, including abdominal palpation, using a simulation mannequin.
They were given an update on aneuploidy screening and the appropriate escalation process when deviations from normal are identified during pregnancy.
A talk on lactation principles covered how to address infant feeding concerns with the aim of empowering ANSC providers to better support postnatal women in their lactation journey.
Presenters on the day included Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Western Sydney University Jon Hyett. Professor Hyett is also a clinical academic specialist in obstetrics and maternal fetal medicine based within South Western Sydney LHD (SWSLHD) and leads the newly established Academic Obstetric Research Group at the Ingham Institute.
He was joined by international board-certified lactation consultant and clinical midwife consultant at SWSLHD Amanda Ritchie, along with clinical midwife consultants for the South Western Sydney GP Antenatal Shared Care Program, Rebecca Bedding and Wendy Pickup. They gave an update on ANSC in South Western Sydney, including recent changes in gestational diabetes mellitus assessment requirements.
Participants at the workshop praised the high level of information given and enjoyed the opportunity for face-to-face interaction and demonstrations of practical skills.
Further skills days are planned for 2026 and will be shared on our CPD page.
ANSC providers are reminded to renew their registration by 31 October to maintain their provider status for 2026.
This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 15 September 2025. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.