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

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 :dunno: 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?

Anybody? :redface:

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?

Have pm'd you.

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. :dunno: Just doctors needing to control everything probably.

GL today! You won't need it but.

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!

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.

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

I didn't need one either time?

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.

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.

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

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

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I didn't need one either time?

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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.

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 :)

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

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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.

Grrr It keeps double posting