More Hawkesbury women will have access to quality antenatal care with the opening of a new clinic at Hawkesbury District Health Service (HDHS) on Tuesday, October 7.
The HDHS midwives clinic will open with the aim to accommodate up to an additional three new pregnant women per week.
It will provide weekly antenatal consultations with visiting medical officer, Dr Ralph Nader on Tuesdays.
‘‘This will give the women an opportunity to see one consistent specialist in order to create a personal bond and avoid various opinions,’’ Dr Nader said.
‘‘It is the first of its kind in the Hawkesbury and it will save women having to travel to Nepean for this specialised care.’’
Director of Inpatient Services Rachel Bush said HDHS was delighted to offer increased access to antenatal care and specialist obstetric services through Dr Nader’s clinic.
‘‘The weekly clinic is great news for pregnant women [who] have previously been unable to access the midwives’ clinic,” Ms Bush said.
Maternity unit manager Julie Austin said women needed to make an appointment at the clinic as soon as they knew they were pregnant.
‘‘Women often know they are pregnant somewhere between five to seven weeks in their first trimester, and this is the ideal time to phone us to make an appointment.’’
■ Appointments must be made between 8.30am and 3pm during the week. GP referral and Medicare card needed at first appointment. Details: Maternity ward, 45605672.