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| Womans Clinic |
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| Since the Drug
Service first opened its doors, the special needs of drug
using women were recognised as being of a high priority. |
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Many mothers, for example, were reluctant to seek treatment
due to fear of being labelled as unfit parents by authorities,
etc. Maternity and sexual health services were not particularly
responsive to the needs of drug users, and many sex workers
were underweight, undernourished and physically unwell. In
an attempt to redress this balance a women's service was set
up. This clinic is staffed by women, is for women clients
only and has always run at the Drug Service on Tuesday mornings
from 10.00am to 1.00pm. |
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| This clinic has been running now for over
7 years and is a well-established part of this drug service.
Many links have been made with other agencies and health units
coming into contact with drug users. The clinic and the work
that goes on there is a respected and highly thought of independent
unit, it is difficult to imagine the Drug Service without
the Women's Clinic. Listed below is some of the work that
goes on there: |
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Because
of the work done in this clinic, in 1997 it managed the
pregnancies and childbirth of 108 drug using women. 0nly
4 of these babies needed intensive care at birth.
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All
clinics are staffed by women for women.
- A full range of Family Planning
advice is provided. A doctor and nurse are also available
for smears, health concerns, termination referrals, depo
injections, etc. Condoms are freely available to all clients.
- Pregnancy tests are available to
all women who use drugs, results are available on the
day, and the morning after pill can be given after consultation
with the GP.
- A midwife is also available for
advice around all pre-natal care, Health & pregnancy,
HIV & pregnancy advice are high on this clinics agenda.
A full review of current drug use is undertaken and any
necessary reviews with keyworkers
or reductions can be planned. The midwife can support
some clients throughout their pregnancy although almost
half choose to stay with their GP.
- A full review service is provided
for women who wish to stabilise their drug use. Particular
drugs and their effects on fertility, pregnancy &
breast feeding can be discussed at the clinic and the
appropriate action and advice taken, whether
the person is on a prescription from this service or not.
- Counsellors are available
from Rape Crisis and other agencies for women who have
suffered abuse and domestic violence
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All
counselling sessions are confidential.
- Childcare workers have been a recent
innovation at the clinic and can provide advice on children
with behavioural problems; appropriate play, etc., as
well as basic diet and nutritional advice for mum and
the kids. They can also look after children while the
mother is receiving treatment.
One of the major successes of this
clinic and its workers has been the work done in liaison
with the maternity unit and the Special Care Baby Unit
(SCBU) at the main acute hospital, Arrowe Park Hospital.
Poly-drug use is a major problem on the Wirral, benzodiazepines
in particular, and many babies are born withdrawing and
in some distress. Since formalised liaison has begun this
problem has dropped to a point where the SCBU now places
a paediatrician at the Tuesday women's clinic.
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Pregnant drug users now place less
strain on the resources of the SCBU and this unitis
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now
used only when absolutely necessary, not as was once the case,
for almost all babies born to drug users. Arrowe Park Hospital
now provides a drug liaison midwife both in the community
and on the maternity wards, putting patients and staff
at ease, giving support and advice when needed. |
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