Do I need a refferal to book into thr homebirth program at Sunshine?

[PumpkinZulu]

Do I need a refferal to book into the homebirth program at Sunshine? I called last week and a grumpy old middie told me yes, I do. I don't actually HAVE a gp as we have moved, and I haven't seen my old one since before we moved into our previous place, she's ages away! I was under the impression that I didn't need a refferal In any case, the weather is so bad today, it looks like I'll have to cancel the appointment I have with some random Footscray gp at a dodgy looking bulk billing clinic (the only reason I made the appointment was for this silly refferal!)*

So, do I actually need one, despite what I was told?

[PumpkinZulu]

Anybody?

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

With both my girls i was told the Hosp requires a referral from the Dr to book in, they get so full i guess they need to make sure it is legit IYKWIM, i think the Dr generally sends a rough rundown etc aswell so the hosp knows what they are dealing with.
If you want hun i'm happy to give them a call and double check, see if i get a nicer MW?

[Pandora]

Have pm'd you.

[Persephone1]

I'd guess that it's a yes too. The Mercy requires a referral for the Birth Centre, or in fact any book-in for pregnancy. I don't really understand why. Just doctors needing to control everything probably.

GL today! You won't need it but.

[~Hestia~]

I don't know about your hospital, but I know with mine you need a referral. They also send across all your blood tests etc with it which I guess is handy for the hospital. Good luck!

[feeb]

Yes you need a refferal due to thr fact they need it for medicare purposes, to see any clinic at a public or private hospital you need it.

You can go and see any dr at any gp clinic as it is only a piece of paper to say yes she is preg and she wants to book in at blah hospital.

[PumpkinZulu]

Haha that's so funny, I just texted you and got a reply Thanks feeb and everyone else xx

[Pandora]

I didn't need one either time?

[LimeSlice]

I didn't need a referral as such but they needed the bloods from the doctor to confirn I was pregnant. They won't take you simply on your say so.

So the doctor will send you for the inital blood tests, and those results they will need.

[PumpkinZulu]

Huh, seems like it varies from hospital to hospital. When I booked in at the womens, I got a refferal from the gp, but all she said was, 'if you got a positive test that's good enough for me' and sent it off.

[Ahurani]

I needed a referral. The dr didn't do any bloods or poas. Maybe because I showed him the 9 I had already done...

[Mum2Romone]

so is home birth covered under Medicare then PZ or are you going private?

[feeb]

I didn't need one either time?

GP probably sent off on your behalf, most referals are sent direct to hospital by GP, othertimes people take them in to there booking in appt.

[PumpkinZulu]

No no, Sunshine (public) have a pilot homebirth program run through the hospital midwives (if I'm not mistaken?) So it's covered by medicare

[feeb]

so is home birth covered under Medicare then PZ or are you going private?

Its a trial program where woman can choose a hospital funded homebirth, woman book into caseload program at sunshine and can choose opion of a homebirth if they are low risk and fit criteria.

[feeb]

Grrr It keeps double posting