The Women’s Health Clinic provides a range of pregnancy and gynaecology services.
About us
The Women’s Health Clinic (WHC) provides outpatient services to women and families for pregnancy and gynaecological care. Our team in the Women’s Health Clinic has clerks, midwives, nurses, specialist doctors, social workers, maternity liaison officers, interpreters, dietitians, trainee midwives and doctors.
Our team is experienced in caring for women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and we have access to interpreters for most languages spoken in the WSLHD. We work together to provide you with health care that meets your needs.
You will be given the best care for your individual needs and we will discuss with you your plan of care. Please feel free to talk with the team caring for you about any concerns or questions you may have.
If you would like to speak with the WHC Midwifery Unit Manager (MUM) to discuss any continuing concerns or compliments please tell the staff caring for you or phone: 8890-6508 Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 3:30pm.
The Women’s Health Clinic is located via entrance 4, in G Block, ground floor level 2, to the left of the Information Desk located at the front entrance of the hospital. Westmead Hospital has parking and a cost is
involved. During business hours, parking can be very difficult so allow plenty of time to park before your appointment. It may be easier for you to come by bus or train when you have an appointment. The train station and bus stops are
within easy walking distance of the hospital. Parking is patrolled by security and fines will be issued for illegal parking.
The Women's Health Clinic operates Monday - Friday 7:00am - 8:00pm and Saturday - Sunday 7:00am - 7:00pm.
For all enquiries, please call on weekdays during business hours on 8890-6508.
We understand that you may prefer to have your care provided by a female staff member however, it is important to be aware that our team includes male midwives, doctors, anaesthetists, paediatricians and students.
Your health and safety is our priority. We provide the most appropriate person for your care. We cannot promise that you will only have care provided by female staff. If care with only female staff is important to you, you may need to arrange a female private doctor for your pregnancy or gynaecological care.
Brochure: Can I see a female member of the Health Care Team?
Our services
All appointments except for Day Assessment Unit (DAU) and Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (EPAC) require a referral from your GP. The referral must be addressed to a specialist doctor at the Women’s Health clinic and sent to:
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Fax: 02 8890-5198
or
email your referral here<br<>
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Please use the subject title: ’Referral’
A letter will be sent to you with a date and time for the appointment. To help your GP you can download the correct referral form here.
The contact number to change or make an appointment is:
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Tel: 02 8890-6508 between 8:00am & 4:30pm Monday to Friday
Please let the Administration Officer know if you require an interpreter.
If you are unable to attend your appointment please contact the appointment line to re-book.
- Medicare card
- Proof of address if required
- Yellow card (pregnancy)
- Ultrasounds and blood test results.
Pregnancy care
Midwives clinics - Midwives work in partnership with women to give support, care and advice during pregnancy. This care includes preventative measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in the mother and baby and partnering with the medical team when required. The midwife has an important task in health counselling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and the community. Midwifery clinics are appropriate for woman with a normal pregnancy.The benefits of Midwifery clinics include:
- Continuity of carer so you can build a relationship with your midwife and work together to manage your pregnancy and prepare for labour and parenthood.
- Pregnancy and labour education and preparation
- Appointments are available in the evening and on weekends as well as during business hours
- Outreach clinics are available at Wentworthville, Greystanes and Castle Hill to avoid travelling to the hospital.
- Group ‘centering’ sessions are available to link you with other women and enhance the education you receive.
The
Midwifery Caseload Practice model provides women with the same Midwife for pregnancy, labour and postpartum care. The Midwife is on-call through-out the woman’s pregnancy and generally works with a partner. Women who have the same midwife caring for them throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and post birth have the opportunity to build a trusting relationship which increases their confidence. This care is appropriate for women who have a normal pregnancy. Appointments are flexible according to the woman’s needs and often occur in the home. A woman who receives care from a known midwife is more likely to:
- have a normal birth
- have a more positive experience of labour and birth
- be satisfied with her maternity care
- successfully breastfeed her baby.
The
Westmead Midwifery PAPOOSE Is a free maternity service where you will get to know your midwife. Your midwife will care for you during your pregnancy and then at home after your birth. Your pregnancy care will be provided in the comfort of our off site clinics at Western Sydney University Westmead, or at Bridge Road Westmead, close to Westmead Hospital. If you need to have a visit at Westmead Hospital, your midwife will organise it. The PAPOOSE midwives will work together alongside the medical team to make sure you have the best care when you need it.
Medical care
Women who need specialised Obstetric care due to medical conditions will need to receive their care in one of our
Doctors clinics. Each Doctor’s clinic is lead by a senior Obstetrician. It takes almost 15 years of study and training to become an Obstetrician. The team will work with you towards the best possible experience and outcome taking your medical needs into consideration. A midwife works in each clinic to help with your care planning and educational needs. Common conditions requiring Obstetric care include:
- Gestational Diabetes (high blood sugar levels occurring during pregnancy with no previous history of diabetes)
- Pre-clampsia (A condition occurring after 20 weeks gestation characterised by high blood pressure)
- Placenta Praevia (The placenta is positioned close to or over the cervix)
- Cholestasis (The flow of bile from the liver is blocked causing itching on parts of the body)
- Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets etc)
- Some instances of a previous difficult pregnancy or delivery.
Women with complex pregnancy needs will be cared for in the MFM clinic. The Doctors leading this clinic are experienced Obstetricians who have undertaken further studies to become experts in managing complex pregnancy, please see
the Westmead Institute for Maternal Fetal Medicine page for more information. The MFM team has a number of highly experienced midwives who will provide care and support for your pregnancy along with the medical team, please see the
Perinatal Advice, Referral and Liaison Service (PEARLS) page for mare information.Such pregnancies include:
- problems with the baby’s physical development
- problems with the placenta
- pregnancy at risk of early delivery
- women with a major medical condition or history such as organ transplant, heart and kidney disease, Type 1 diabetes, cancer and blood disorders.
Women attending this clinic may also have other medical teams involved in their care planning such as the Neonatal, cardiac, endocrine or renal teams.
This model of care also provides women with the opportunity to build a relationship with their caregiver. The Obstetrician will provide the pregnancy care, and manage and attend the labour, birth and postnatal care. The Obstetrician will usually be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Women who book with a private Obstetrician and plan to birth at Westmead Hospital will be required to attend a ‘booking in’ appointment so that we can familiarise them with the service and have a copy of their records when they present in labour.
Shared care
Westmead Hospital offers two models of shared pregnancy care, please see the GP shared care page for more information. The ‘booking in visit’ is completed at Westmead Hospital then the remaining pregnancy visits are attended by an accredited GP or Privately Practising Midwife. Sometimes some visits might need to be attended at the hospital. If problems arise in the pregnancy then the woman will need to transfer care back to the hospital Doctors clinics. The benefits of shared pregnancy care include:
- continuity of carer so you can build a relationship with your GP or midwife and work together to manage your pregnancy and prepare for labour and parenthood
- pregnancy and labour education and preparation offered by the Privately Practising Midwife
- you can select a GP or Midwife who works close to your home and you won’t need to attend the hospital
- your GP and/or Privately Practising midwife can continue to provide you care and support in the postnatal period and afterwards.
Other services
Our dietitians work in partnership with women to ensure the best nutrition during pregnancy. This care includes dietary and lifestyle advice to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes (a form of high blood sugar affecting pregnant women), high blood pressure and other medical complications. We aim to promote healthy eating, ideal gestational weight gain and encourage exercise; all of which reduce the risk of complications to the mother and baby during the pregnancy, labour and birth. Women who receive education and care from our dedicated dietitians are more likely to have:
- Best nutritional intake during and after the pregnancy
- A lower risk of gestational diabetes
- Ease of losing weight after pregnancy
- Fewer complications during birth
The Maternity Liaison Officer (MLO) service is offered to women who are new to Australia and whose second language is English. Women from overseas having their first baby in Australia are also able to use this service. If this service is appropriate for you, your midwife will refer you at your booking in visit. Education and community resource contacts are provided to you to assist you during your pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. For more information read MLO Brochure
Gynaecological care
Gynaecology clinics: a range of gynaecology services are provided. Small procedures are also performed such as pap smears,
colposcopy, LLETZ and varied others. You will need a referral from your GP to arrange an appointment with Westmead Women’s Health Clinic Tel: 8890-6508.
The Contraception clinic provides advice and contraception for women and their families. The contraception clinic operates on a Monday.
Please note
- A free and confidential interpreter service, including Auslan, is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Ask staff to arrange an interpreter for you.
- Carers provide care and unpaid assistance to others. They may be family members, friends or neighbours.
Please tell staff if you have a carer.
- All our health facilities and grounds are 100% smoke free. Fines apply. The Quitline can help you stop smoking,
ph: 137848
- Parking is available on the hospital campus for a fee.