These guidelines provide Lead Maternity Carers with information about the categories of referral, referral pathways and criteria on which LMCs should advise women that a referral is warranted.
These guidelines provide Lead Maternity Carers (LMCs) with a list of conditions and criteria about referring pregnant women for consultations with other clinicians, transferring clinical responsibility for care to specialists as well as transferring care in emergencies.
This updated document also covers referral to a primary health care provider, guidelines for emergency transport and what to do when a woman declines referral, consultation or transfer of clinical responsibility. The document outlines the categories of referral and provides process maps detailing referral pathways.
The Referral Guidelines are based on best practice and were compiled by the Ministry of Health with input from an expert working group including midwifery, obstetrics, paediatrics and anaesthetics as well as consumer representatives.
The aim is to improve the safety and quality of maternity care and to ensure women are referred by their LMC to the most appropriate level of care for their particular condition. They are to be used in conjunction with the Maternity Services Notice 2007 and replace previous referral Guidelines.
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