Summary: This page details our protocol for pre-conception advice appointments.
Who’s it for: Reception and GPs
What is pre-conception advice?
Counselling and education given to patients to help them improve their own health before trying for a baby.
Booking an appointment
Reception
- If a patient requests pre-conception advice, book them a single appointment (F2F or remote) with a GP.
If remote, ask the patient to attend reception for height, weight and BMI measurements before their appointment.
Always check if the patient requires an interpreter (book double appointment if they do), if there’s anything else pending in the pink QOF box that we can address while we’re speaking with the patient, and that their contact details are correct
The Appointment
GP
- Open the clinical template ‘Pre-conception template (v17.9) (Ardens)’ on EMIS.
- Capture data on height, weight and blood pressure.
- Complete pages 1 and 2 of the template, making referrals to smoking cessation (where appropriate):
- Refer to Southwark Stop Smoking Service, Lambeth Stop Smoking Service or Lewisham Stop Smoking Service
- Provide pre-conception advice, as per page 3 of the template. Use the resources below for guidance, if required.
- Complete the pre-conception genetic risk assessment as per page 4 of the template (visit the NICE CKS website for more information), and make appropriate referrals.
- For mental health support, visit our Mental Health Services Database
- For genetic conditions, refer to
- For weight management, refer to The Lambeth Healthy Weight Hub, Up! Up! Lewisham (Tier 2 Weight Management), NHS Tier 2 Weight Management Service or NHS Tier 3 Healthy Weight Programme as appropriate
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