48Term of pregnancy

48 Term of pregnancy

48 Term of pregnancy

(1) A level 1 facility must not admit a patient for maternity class procedures before 37 weeks completed gestation.

(2) A level 2 facility must not admit a patient for maternity class procedures before 34 weeks completed gestation other than under subsection (3).

(3) A level 2 facility may admit a patient for maternity class procedures before 34 weeks completed gestation, but not before 32 weeks completed gestation, if—

(a) the facility is also licensed as a neonatal class private health facility, and

(b) the facility’s licence is subject to a condition to the effect that the facility must have, in the Secretary’s opinion, appropriate support services, infrastructure and staff with clinical expertise to provide maternity class procedures to patients who have completed between 32 and 34 weeks gestation, and

(c) the facility has a written policy, developed having regard to the provisions of the maternity and neonatal service capability guideline, that addresses the following—

(i) clinical governance, including competence and credentialling of staff,

(ii) quality and safety processes,

(iii) service requirements, including consultation, escalation, transfer and education.