Antenatal anaesthetic assessment of high-risk pregnancy: a survey of UK practice.

Background: Anaesthetists are frequently involved in the management of high-risk pregnancy. Antenatal referral permits time to prepare an appropriate management plan for labour and delivery. This survey looked at current methods of referral in the UK and the role of a formal clinic.

Method: A postal questionnaire was sent to lead consultant anaesthetists of 256 UK obstetric units enquiring into methods of referral for high-risk pregnancy.

Results: Replies were received from 196 units (response rate 77%). Only 30% of units that responded ran a formal anaesthetic pre-assessment clinic, the remaining 70% relying on ad hoc referrals of high-risk cases. Larger units were more likely to run formal clinics. Some units wishing to introduce a formal clinic had not been able to do so because of financial constraints.

Conclusion: Most hospitals were satisfied with current arrangements for referral of high-risk pregnancy. A mechanism for anaesthetic referral of high-risk pregnancy is vital, but in many units is not via a formal clinic.