New NSW Referral Criteria Introduced for Maternity and Gynaecology Outpatient Care
23 Jun 2026
NSW Health has implemented the updated Statewide Referral Criteria (SRC), which came into effect on 1 June. The aim is to support clearer referral processes, more consistent triage timeframes, and better prioritisation of patients needing specialist outpatient care.
Healthcare providers are reminded that best practice is for all pregnant women to have their first antenatal hospital appointment before 14 weeks of pregnancy. GPs are encouraged to refer patients to the appropriate antenatal clinic as soon as pregnancy is confirmed, while continuing routine GP care alongside hospital-based antenatal services.
Referrals to Bankstown-Lidcombe, Bowral, Campbelltown, and Fairfield Hospitals are now made through Consultmed. Liverpool Hospital is expected to transition to the same system in August, with current referral processes to remain in place until further notice.
Women also have the option to self-refer through the “Booking in my Pregnancy” (BiMP) online assessment tool for antenatal clinic appointments.
The updated referral framework is supported by statewide resources including HealthPathways and the new referral criteria guidelines to ensure consistent care across services.
New NSW Referral Criteria Introduced for Maternity and Gynaecology Outpatient Care
Source: NSW Health Statewide Referral Criteria (SRC), effective 1 June