The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence has published new guidance for the month of September 2010. This month there is one clinical guideline that impacts upon primary care.
The Pregnancy and complex social factors guideline (QRG) provides advice in addition to the current Antenatal Care guideline for pregnant women who may need additional support.
Situations where women who may require additional input, support and effort to maintain antenatal contact include:
- substance misuse
- recent arrival as a migrant
- asylum seeker or refugee status
- difficulty speaking or understanding English
- age under 20
- domestic abuse
- poverty
- homelessness
Action: Clinicians should be aware of this guideline and of local services that can provide appropriate and additional levels of support.