Get localised health information, at the point of care.
Sign in to HealthPathways
Useful Management Information
- In an emergency situation, medical and clinical staff cannot conscientiously object to providing care following a failed early medical termination. All Hospital and Health Services will provide services to women who present for emergency care
- A Registered medical practitioner may perform a lawful termination on a woman who is:
- up to a gestational limit of 22+0 weeks, for any reason
- 22+1 weeks of gestation or more if two medical practitioners agree that, in all the circumstances, the termination should be performed
- up to a gestational limit of 22+0 weeks, for any reason
- Termination of pregnancy is a time sensitive service and delays impact on the woman's or pregnant person's options
- An early medical termination can normally happen at home and is available under the supervision of a GP up to 9 weeks (63 days) gestation
- From 9 weeks gestation the woman or pregnant person will need to be admitted to hospital to have a termination
- Legal requirements if a medical practitioner conscientiously objects to provide termination of pregnancy services
“Clinical staff may have a conscientious objection to ToP and choose not to provide counselling or prescribe medications / perform surgical TOP. Their objection must not impede or disrupt patients’ access to care relating to ToP. They must treat any patient who has requested ToP with respect and compassion. They must inform the patient of their objection and their right to seek care from another doctor and ensure the patient has sufficient information to exercise that right.
Clinical staff should be familiar with their rights and obligations in relation to ToP legislation in their local jurisdiction. If unsure, clinical staff should consult with their medical defence organisation, union and/or State or Territory AMA office for appropriate advice.
At times, a patient admitted to an institution may request ToP that the institution does not provide due to conscientious objection. In these cases, Clinicians should be allowed to refer patients seeking ToP to another institution outside the facility without repercussions for the doctor”.
- Statewide Termination of pregnancy clinical guidelines states under the Clinical Standards that:
- Ideally, patients should be offered an assessment appointment within 5 days of referral
- Ideally, patients should be provided with termination of pregnancy within 2 weeks of the decision to proceed being agreed
- Offer referral to other services as appropriate, especially where risk factors are identified (e.g. young women, women with physical or intellectual disabilities, mental illness, rape or sexual assault, domestic violence, fertility issues and cultural beliefs/values)
- Where a young woman is sixteen years of age or under, greater consideration of an independent and appropriate counsellor/support person being available and engaged should be considered
- Consider primary health screening or advice. i.e. Cervical Screening, Sexual Health Check, Rubella titre, domestic and family violence or sexual violence, smoking or vaping cessation advice
- Counsel about pregnancy options and contraceptive advice
Clinical resources
- Clinical Excellence Queensland information for health practitioners and services: Termination of Pregnancy
- Standard Asymptoatic Checkup I STI Guidlines Australia.
- Queensland Clinical Guideline: Termination of Pregnancy
Patient resources
- 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) is a phone line that provides health information, referral and services to the public
- Children by Choice
1800 177 725 (free call) offers free all-options pregnancy counselling, information and referrals Queensland-wide. - Women’s Health Queensland
1800 017 676 (free call) offers health promotion, information and education services for women and health professionals throughout Queensland - True Relationships and Reproductive Health provides expert reproductive and sexual health care.
- Key facts about Termination of Pregnancy Act
Minimum Referral Criteria
Category 1 (appointment within 30 calendar days) |
NB: Full termination of pregnancy services may not be offered by individual hospitals. Request for termination service |
---|---|
Category 2 (appointment within 90 calendar days) |
|
Category 3 (appointment within 365 calendar days) |
|
|
Essential Referral Information
- Summary of relevant circumstances leading to the request for termination of pregnancy
- Medical, surgical, obstetric and psychosocial history
- Menstrual history and last menstrual period (LMP) date (if available)
- Confirm gestation of intra-uterine live pregnancy by ultrasound
Additional Referral Information
- BMI
- Blood group and type
- HPV vaccination history
- Asymptomatic STI screen result – endocervical swab or low vaginal SELF SWAB. Also screen for chlamydia +/- gonorrhoea NAA, Trichomonas vaginalis (highly desirable)
- STI screen might not be available before referral but is an essential part of the management.
- History of smoking or vaping, alcohol and drug use
- If pregnancy >10 weeks nil blood
- For surgical termination requests please include STI screen, PCR swab, blood group
Send Referrals To
Smart Referrals
Preferred Method About Smart Referrals
Secure Web Transfer
Gold Coast Health
Internal Referrals
Termination of Pregnancy Service (qhRefer)
Fax
Post
Termination of Pregnancy Service, Gold Coast University Hospital
1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport QLD 4215
Enquiries
Service Availability
Facilities
If you would like to send a named referral, please address it to the specialist listed above, who will allocate a suitably qualified specialist to see the patient. Alternatively, you can view a full list of our specialists.