The professional support offered by the Women's Alcohol & Drug Service includes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secondary consultation
|
Secondary consultation is the provision of clinical advice and support to health professionals and community service providers at their request. The purpose of secondary consultation to ensure that pregnant women with drug and alcohol issues are able to access care, where possible, within their own communities. The secondary consultant may be, but is not necessarily, in the presence of a client.
|
How to access the service
|
Secondary consultation is provided by Women's ADS clinicians who may be contacted by phoning 03 9344 3631.
|
The service is available Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.30pm. An answering machine is available for after hours contact and your call will be returned on the next working day. After hours emergency consultation is available via the RWH emergency department. The Emergency Department will contact the Women's ADS consultant obstetrician or paediatrician as required.
|
|
The 'National clinical guidelines for the management of drug use during pregnancy, birth and the early development years of the newborn' represent, for the first time, a set of nationally agreed, evidence based guidelines to assist clinicians in the care of pregnant women with drug and alcohol use issues, and the developing baby.
|
The guidelines were developed under the guidance of a steering committee and expert workshops, including representatives from all states and territories. The guidelines were endorsed by the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy December 2005.
|
For further information email the Women's Alcohol & Drug Service
|
Mentoring
|
Mentoring is where the Women's ADS clinician acts as a tutor or guide using adult learning principles. The mentoring role allows for expertise, knowledge and skills to be imparted to another provider. Individuals can develop their skills and practices as well as question and discuss their own values around relevant issues. The mentoring role does not provide direct service delivery except as a teaching tool. It acts as a guided supervision for health professionals to enhance their own skills.
|
How to access the service
|
Mentoring is provided by the Women's ADS clinicians. All requests to be directed to the Women's ADS Manager by phoning (03) 9344 3631. Training needs will be assessed, discussed and negotiated with the requesting service and an appropriate team member/s will be allocated. The requesting agency will be required to evaluation the training and education provided.
|
|
Accreditation as Obstetric Methadone Prescriber
|
The Women's ADS conducts a DHS approved methadone prescriber training course (one session). Approval to prescribe methadone for pregnant women in an obstetric setting will be attained following successful completion. This will enable you to initiate methadone treatment and alter doses for pregnant women in hospital. The approval applies only within your hospital and you will not be on the community methadone prescriber list.
|
Learning objectives of the course are:
|
- To have an understanding of the epidemiology and potential harms associated with heroin use during pregnancy
|
- To be familiar with the different treatment options for managing heroin dependence in pregnancy
|
- To understand the principles of safe and effective methadone treatment during pregnancy
|
- To be familiar with the legal requirements and procedures for prescribing methadone and other drugs of dependence
|
- To understand the principles of managing the opiate exposed neonate
|
To register for the training, contact Women's ADS, 03 9344 3631 or email us.
|
|
Resources for health professionals
|
Handouts
|
- Illicit drug use chart (PDF) for healthcare professionals to download and print
|
- Misuse of drugs in pregnancy and breastfeeding (PDF) available for healthcare professionals to download and print
|
Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service (DACAS)
|
24-hour specialist telephone consultancy service for alcohol and drug practitioners and health and welfare workers.
|
DACAS takes calls from doctors, nurses and other health and welfare professionals seeking advice on the clinical management of alcohol and drug issues. DACAS consultants include counsellors, specialist doctors and pharmacists.
|
DACAS (Victoria) can be contacted by phoning 03 9416 3611 or 1800 812 804 (toll free).
|
Suggested Reading
|
|
|
Please read our disclaimer
|
