For mothers and families in regional, rural, and remote Australia, accessing local birthing services can be stressful. With many rural maternity services in crisisand workforce shortages impacting service delivery on the ground,expectant mothers and families are often forced to travel hundreds of kilometres to access essential care. To prevent rural and remote communities from falling further behind, strategies that address both workforce recruitment and retention are urgently needed.

The General Practitioner Procedural Training Support Program (GPPTSP) is one such strategy, designed to strengthen maternity services for women living in these areas. General practitioners (GPs) play a critical role in Australia’s vast regions. In smaller communities, they often provide a broader scope of services than their metropolitan counterparts. However, financial and logistical barriers can make the additional training required to expand scope unattainable for some clinicians.

To gain qualifications such as the °”ÍűTV Associate (Advanced Procedural) credential in obstetrics, GPs must take time away from their regular practice, often temporarily relocate, and accept a GP registrar’s reduced income whilst training. For those with mortgages, families, or other financial responsibilities, this pathway is simply not always feasible.

Funded by the Australian Government, GPPTSP provides eligible GPs or rural generalists with grants of up to $40,000 per year for two years to support training in obstetrics or anaesthetics. We spoke to three former participants, Dr Claire Walter, Dr Lillian Barrymore, and Dr Madeleine Brenner to better understand how GPPTSP is helping to build GP obstetric workforce capacity.

In what ways did the GPPTSP grant assist you in undertaking the RANZCOG Associate (Advanced Procedural) (APTP) certification?

Claire: I had a fantastic year of training at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane. The General Practitioner Procedural Training Support Program assisted with relocation from my home in rural Stanthorpe to Brisbane, as well as supporting training and childcare costs, essential to my ability to complete the program.

Lillian: The GPPTSP offered a crucial financial incentive to pursue further training in obstetrics. Without this support, clinicians often face a significant financial burden which can be difficult to manage. To access the RANZCOG Associate (Advanced Procedural) Training Program, I relocated 700 km from home, and the grant was essential in helping cover both the move and the costs associated with completing my training.

Madeleine: Moving from a tertiary hospital with a state-employee salary to working as a GP registrar while also undertaking obstetrics training came with significant financial pressures. I was managing a heavy clinical workload without the guaranteed income I’d previously had in a tertiary setting. Once I became a GP Fellow, the GPPTSP grant made up for this as it allowed me to focus primarily on building my obstetric skills and experience without worrying as much about billing or income.

The funding also meant I could take time away from clinic consulting to attend upskilling opportunities. These days were supernumerary and unpaid, but they were crucial in consolidating my knowledge and gaining the practical experience needed to complete the RANZCOG APTP. In addition, the grant supported my attendance at key workshops, such as the Basic Obstetric Skills Workshop and the OASI course, which were held interstate. Without GPPTSP, accessing this level of training and experience would have been extremely difficult.

In your opinion, how has obtaining the APTP credential impacted workforce shortages and access to maternity services in your community?

Claire: I now have dual training in anaesthetics and obstetrics, which has enabled for more flexibility in our medical roster. I’m able to support multiple areas of care, which is particularly important in a rural setting with a limited workforce. It has also helped future-proof our service as several clinicians approach retirement over the coming years.

I also was fortunate to forge lifelong connections with supervisors, consultants and registrar peers at the Mater who have continued to support me even after completing training and moving home. The relationships I’ve built have strengthened access and I have even called upon Mater consultants for help via the flying obstetric, and gynaecology service. I’m grateful to have expanded my network and can access advice and support when needed which is so important in reducing isolation and retaining the rural workforce.

Lillian: We are experiencing significant workforce shortages in my community which have evolved over the last few years. Five years ago, we had six GP obstetricians (GPOs) on the obstetric roster, but as of 2025 there are only two local GPOs regularly on the obstetric roster with one available for on call assistance – the remainder of the roster is covered by locums.

It wouldn’t have been feasible for me to continue working in obstetrics with only basic Associate Procedural skills, given the limited number of colleagues able to provide surgical support. Completing Associate (Advanced Procedural) training has strengthened local maternity services by increasing access to care and ensuring there is an additional obstetrician with procedural capability available in emergencies – something I believe is essential to the long-term sustainability of the service.

The APTP has also improved patients’ access to additional choice when seeking antenatal care providers.

Madeleine: Obtaining the APTP credential has taken a load off our existing workforce, as I’m now able to participate on our on-call roster unsupervised. My colleagues have had to carry a significant on-call load while I’ve completed the APTP. I feel proud and grateful that I can now repay the favour in a way and allow them some reprieve from our busy obstetric roster.

Now that you have completed the APTP, how do you plan to use your skills?

Claire: I will continue providing safe, supportive and non-judgemental women’s health services in our community, caring for our local women during their pregnancy, birth and postnatal period. It has been an enjoyable time of learning for me, and has added value to my skills, insights into the healthcare system and how best I can improve access and improve health inequities in rural Australia.

Lillian: I plan to continue to offer antenatal and obstetric services in rural towns throughout the remainder of my career. In addition, I hope to be able to undertake upskilling with our visiting gynaecology consultants to offer more gynaecology procedures for women locally.

Madeleine: I plan to continue working at Murray Bridge as a rural generalist obstetrician. I have developed a great love of our community and feel strongly about continuing our maternity service here for years to come. I also look forward to participating in the supervision and teaching of registrars as they pass through our town during their training and think it a great privilege to be able to share such knowledge and skills with others.

Applications for the 2026 round of grants through the General Practitioner Procedural Training Support Program are currently open.

The GPPTSP is open to rural and remote GP Fellows, including those already undertaking the APTP. Check your eligibility and submit an online application by Friday 31 July 2026.

March was a month filled with advocacy and collaboration, and I was fortunate to engage both with RANZCOG members and trainees, and other local and international healthcare organisations to share ideas and further the goals of the College.

The 14^th RANZCOG Council convened for its first meeting of 2026 in March. Our discussions spanned across the key priorities of the College, including responding to issues facing the specialty and women’s health, strengthening member value, and remaining accountable to our strategic priorities. These themes arose throughout the month, and below I’ve outlined just a few examples of the work being undertaken within the College and beyond.

Informed consent in maternity care

The on informed consent in maternity care poses an important opportunity for reflection for us all. Clinical procedures must always be supported by clear communication and voluntary consent, both which are essential components of respectful maternity care.

Trauma survivor, Larissa Gawthrop, was awarded $275,000 in damages by the Supreme Court of Victoria on 27 March,after being pressured into a vaginal examination by a midwife with the implication that care, including pain relief would be withheld if Larissa did not consent to vaginal examination. Importantly, the court distinguished subsequent vaginal examinations and instrumental vaginal birth as being consensual.

Although this case has caused some consternation within our community, it should not be a polarising issue. Informed consent is a critical part of safe, ethical, trauma-informed and patient-centred care. It is a fundamental principle that underpins trust between patients and healthcare providers. As clinicians, we must foster environments where patients feel heard, supported, and empowered to make informed decisions about their care.

Endometriosis awareness

Following the recent allegations raised regarding a gynaecologist, RANZCOG is working with Safer Care Victoria (SCV), the Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopy and Surgery (AGES) Society, Women’s Health Victoria (WHV), AHPRA, and government stakeholders to consider steps to strengthen collaboration and support evidence-based care.

As part of this effort, several initiatives have been delivered. On 23 March, RANZCOG, AGES, and Women’s Health Victoria co-hosted a webinar for clinicians. This session focused on supporting patients navigating endometriosis, addressed frequently asked questions from the WHV Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Surgery Concerns Line, and explored recent developments in care. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions. A second webinar, held in partnership with Avant on 1 April, examined medico-legal considerations related to endometriosis and pelvic pain care.

These webinars for medical professionals were complimented by a public session for consumers, held on 24 March, which provided an opportunity for attendees to submit their own questions to the panel for discussion.

A theme that ran across all sessions was the erosion of trust that patients are currently experiencing, and how we must work to rebuild this. Transparent communication, shared decision-making, and evidence-based care are the cornerstones of our specialty, and we should all be reflecting on how we can better implement these practices day to day.

Another of my key takeaways is the value of building a network of fellow clinicians you can lean on for an additional source of opinion and advice. Whether it be to seek further expertise on a clinical presentation or to refer for multidisciplinary care, having a community you can rely on will only strengthen the level of care we are able to provide to women.

I urge all members and trainees to regularly review the College’s Australian Living Evidence Guideline: Endometriosis. As a living evidence guideline, this document is reviewed and updated every six months as new evidence is produced, to ensure guidance is driven by the latest research. The most recent update was implemented in March, resulting in changes to two recommendations.

I am pleased with the recent announcement that RANZCOG has been successful in securing funding from the Australian commonwealth government to support the development of more clinical resources and initiatives aimed at improving care for women living with endometriosis and persistent pelvic pain.

Specifically, it will enable ongoing evidence review for the College’s Australian Living Evidence Guideline: Endometriosis, and the development of a dedicated clinical guideline and patient information for persistent pelvic pain more broadly – recognising that many women experience pelvic pain unrelated to endometriosis.

Finally, the College’s Research and Policy Team, alongside Dr Marilla Druitt, Prof Cindy Farquhar, and Magda Bofill, has worked closely with SCV to inform the development of a SCV Clinical Practice Point which highlights the role of less invasive methods, such as ultrasound and MRI, for diagnosis of endometriosis, ensuring alignment with evidence from the RANZCOG Guideline.

AGES ASM

I had the pleasure of attending and presenting at the Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopy & Surgery Society (AGES) Annual Scientific Meeting 2026 in Auckland. The theme for this year’s conference was “Bridging the Divide – Surgical Experience vs Scientific Evidence”, with a focus on “embracing the power of emerging research and innovation, to guide and refine our surgical practice.”

The program featured a breadth of topics relevant to clinicians, such as highlighting the importance of consent in the patient journey and innovations in surgical practice using robotics.

°”ÍűTV had a valuable meeting with AGES to discuss surgical training as a whole, and the College looks forward to continuing to collaborate with them on evolving surgical training to be the best it can be for all trainees in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Close the Gap Day

Thursday 19 March was Close the Gap Day, with the theme this year being “Community Voices: The Pathway to Justice, Equality and Healing.” This year’s Close the Gap report highlights the disparities in women’s health experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This inequity is visible in recent statistics – according to a , Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island women are projected to reach cervical cancer elimination in 2047, 12 years after the Australian government’s 2035 target. Targeted and collective action is required to improve screening participation in First Nations communities, including promoting access to self-collection.

I encourage all members and trainees to reflect on your own practice and how you can take steps to improve equity and access within your local community. The College provides a range of resources to help facilitate this reflection and promote learning and action, including the Cultural Safety Reflection Tool, and Acquire eLearning Courses.

I also urge you to read the 2026 Close the Gap Report, available .

Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) Meeting

The Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) convened at the beginning of the month at Parliament House in Canberra. The meeting included a workshop facilitated by Professor Jenny May AM, the National Rural Health Commissioner, on increasing the rural and regional specialist workforce. This supports the existing work of RANZCOG in regional, rural, and remote workforce training and skills maintenance through programs such as Obstetrics and Gynaecology Education and Training (OGET).

The Council went on to discuss a range of priorities, including accreditation and training standards, SIMG assessment, and fee transparency. The latter resulted in a shared . The Hon Rebecca White MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, addressed the Council to mark the launch of this framework and discussed the government’s broader priorities in improving access within the Australian healthcare system.

The framework supports and reinforces RANZCOG’s emphasis on providing equitable, patient-centred specialist care, and I advise all clinicians to familiarise themselves with its principles.

Healthcare advocacy in South Australia

In February, the South Australian College Chairs Committee, of which RANZCOG is a member, issued a three-point healthcare plan, urging parties to commit to the following:

1. Map the state’s healthcare gaps
2. Plan the medical workforce properly
3. Cut red tape that stops doctors working where they’re needed

Dr Magdalena Halt, SA Councillor and the College’s representative on the Committee, says that “Without a statewide strategy that properly maps need and plans the workforce, women and gender-diverse people are too often left waiting longer or going without essential healthcare altogether.”

In the wake of the SA state elections, I hope that all parties continue to work on these vital goals to ensure equitable access and high-quality healthcare across the state, improving outcomes for the people of SA.

RTCOG Annual Scientific Meeting

Also in February, I travelled to Bangkok to present at the Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RTCOG) Annual Scientific Meeting. My presentation, “Beyond Decriminalisation: Abortion Care and Access in Australia” examined the regulatory context of abortion in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, recent developments, ongoing challenges, and training pathways for clinicians.

I outlined the College’s binational Clinical Guideline for Abortion Care and the impact this resource has had in implementing abortion services, particularly in Western Australia following decriminalisation in 2023. Attempts at legislative challenges to abortion access and care continue, however RANZCOG remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for this essential aspect of healthcare. I was humbled to present this overview of our nation’s journey in this space and the College’s role in promoting access.

Collaboration within our specialty and with the broader healthcare community is vital to support excellent outcomes in women’s health. I am invigorated and inspired by the tireless effort and dedication of our colleagues both locally and internationally. Sharing ideas and experiences and collaborating on solutions is invaluable and I am eager to continue to build on the College’s relationships to support our ongoing efforts in education, training, advocacy, and more.

Dr Nisha Khot
°”ÍűTV President

 

*RANZCOG acknowledges the need for more inclusive terminology for gender diversity. In this blog, use of the term “woman” should be interpreted to include all people requiring gynaecological and obstetric care.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) and the New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM) commend Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and the Hon. Simeon Brown, Minister of Health, for implementing interim measures to reduce unaffordable copayments for maternity ultrasounds, as well as committing to developing longer-term, sustainable funding arrangements.

Late last year, as a significant increase in maternity ultrasound copayments loomed, NZCOM and RANZCOG wrote to the Minister of Health urgently requesting an interim solution to address copayments, as well as a full review of maternity ultrasound funding.

Today’s announcement of a $12.9 million funding boost for community-delivered maternity ultrasounds services, introduces arrangements with private providers – who deliver the majority of maternity ultrasound scans in New Zealand – to cap copayments at $30 dollars for those with a community services card (CSC) and $90 for non-CSC holders. This is a reduction from the previously proposed increases to $75 and $150 respectively.

The $92 fee currently paid by Te Whatu Ora to community-based ultrasound providers has not changed since 1997 and is substantially lower than public funding for other types of ultrasound scans, despite maternity ultrasounds often being more complex and requiring more time to complete. Providers have needed to charge women increasing co-payments to help cover their costs.

Now, Health New Zealand is finally boosting the funding it pays to community providers. Under the new approach:

• Co-payments must be capped at $30 for Community Service Card holders and $90 for non-CSC holders(includingGST).
• Hospital maternity ultrasound servicesremainfully funded, with no user charges.
• Existing regional subsidies, including those funded through hospitaland specialist services,regional commissioning or primary health,are toremain in place to ensure no woman is worse off during the transition.
• Providers who optinto the short-term contractwill continue to claim under the existing Notice and be eligible for a top-up payment, so that total funding including any co-paymentis up to $225.50 (incl GST) per scan for patients with aCSC, and $216.50 (incl. GST) for a non-CSC holder.

NZCOM Chief Executive, Alison Eddy cautions that $90 copayments for non-community services card holders will still be unaffordable for some women on low incomes, especially those with high-risk pregnancies requiring multiple scans.

During the course of a straightforward pregnancy, two routine ultrasound scans are recommended, however when there are concerns about the wellbeing of the baby, as many as eight scans may be required. At $90 copayment per scan, it’s easy to see how this can still amount to a very significant cost burden for families.

– NZCOM Chief Executive, Alison Eddy

Both RANZCOG and NZCOM have raised concerns about outdated maternity ultrasound funding and ever-increasing copayments for many years, highlighting the risks that families are unable to access clinically necessary maternity ultrasound scans because of cost, and that this will result in avoidable tragic consequences for mothers and babies.

°”ÍűTV New Zealand Vice President, Dr Emma Jackson says, “It’s great to see that for the first time in years funding has been put in place nationally to assist in reducing maternity ultrasound copayments, but most importantly it is a relief to see commitment to addressing maternity ultrasound funding properly, so that women can access the essential ultrasound scans they need for the safety of their pregnancy without cost being a barrier.”

°”ÍűTV and NZCOM are committed to working with the Ministry of Health and Te Whatu Ora on a full review of maternity ultrasound funding and we hope to see copayments for clinically necessary maternity ultrasound scans become a thing of past soon.

– RANZCOG New Zealand Vice President, Dr Emma Jackson

For more information, please refer to .

Media enquiries

Bec McPhee
Head of Advocacy & Communications, RANZCOG
bmcphee@ranzcog.edu.au
+61 413 258 166

Alison Eddy
Chief Executive, NZCOM
(03) 372 9736

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG, the College) is pleased to announce that it has been successful in securing funding from the Australian Commonwealth Government to support the development of clinical resources and initiatives aimed at improving care for women living with endometriosis and persistent pelvic pain.

Recent investigations and the increased focus on care in Victoria have highlighted the need for urgent improvements, resources, education, and training across the wider system.

°”ÍűTV has continued its ongoing advocacy in this area by engaging directly with key stakeholders, including the Hon. Mark Butler MP, Federal Minister for Health and Ageing; the Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas, Victorian Minister for Health; the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP); Safer Care Victoria; consumer representatives; and others, to address how specialist capability and confidence can be strengthened to improve patient outcomes.

As a result, the government has today announced that it will commit a $7.45 million package to support specialist and primary care capability enhancement, among other services and initiatives. This funding will support RANZCOG and RACGP to make improvements to clinical guidance and care standards for persistent pelvic pain and endometriosis, as well as provide education and training for specialists, GPs and other health providers included in multidisciplinary care.

Dr Nisha Khot, RANZCOG President, welcomed today’s announcement, saying, “Improving care for women with pelvic pain and endometriosis has long been a priority for the College. The College has worked closely with the Government to secure this funding. We commend the Government for investing in much-needed initiatives that will strengthen clinical guidance, support multidisciplinary models of care, and better equip clinicians to deliver safe, evidence-based care.”

Endometriosis and pelvic pain have been underfunded and under-researched for too long. While there is still much more to be done to improve understanding and close gaps, this investment represents an important step toward better supporting clinicians and improving outcomes for women living with these complex conditions.

–Dr Nisha Khot, RANZCOG President

Dr Marilla Druitt, RANZCOG Victorian Committee Chair, and President of Pelvic Pain Victoria, says “Education and training are critical to improving how we manage pelvic pain. Investment in building the knowledge and skills of a broad range of clinicians across specialties will strengthen clinical capability, support best-practice multidisciplinary care, and ultimately lead to better outcomes for women.”

°”ÍűTV looks forward to working closely with government, clinicians, consumers, and key stakeholders to implement these initiatives and ensure they translate into meaningful improvements in care. The College remains committed to supporting clinicians with the guidance, education, and tools needed to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care, and to improving outcomes for women living with endometriosis and persistent pelvic pain.

Media enquiries

Bec McPhee
Head of Advocacy & Communications
bmcphee@ranzcog.edu.au
+61 413 258 166

In women’s healthcare, the scales have long been tipped.

Tipped not by chance, but by inequitable systems designed and maintained to deliver unjust outcomes for women and girls – outcomes determined by whether pain is believed, whether care is affordable, or whether essential services are available at all.

The legislative, regulatory and institutional frameworks that govern our health systems are embedded with bias, and gender bias remains one of the most pervasive. This International Women’s Day, RANZCOG reflects on the significant gender disparities in healthcare, tying in with the , ‘Balance the Scales.’

Where inequities persist in women’s healthcare

From bias in medical research to systemic funding disparities, gender inequity is deeply embedded in our health systems. Across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, a considerable gender gap exists in the affordability of care, access to specialist services, and genuine choice in treatment options.

This injustice is embedded within the Australian Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) itself. Currently, the Medicare rebate for performing a penile doppler or scrotal ultrasound is higher than the rebate for performing a fetal doppler scan – which some women require multiple of, especially in higher-risk pregnancies. Despite the complexity and clinical necessity of this type of scan, the federal government places less value on this service for women than it does for scans of male reproductive organs, reflecting a system that routinely undervalues women’s healthcare. Women are left to bear the added financial burden of accessing these essential scans during pregnancy.

There is currently no dedicated Medicare rebate for MRI in the investigation of pelvic pain, despite endometriosis affecting around one in seven Australian women during their lifetime. As a chronic and often debilitating condition, timely imaging can support earlier diagnosis and appropriate care.

Gender inequity in healthcare does not exist in isolation. For many women, these disparities are further compounded by intersecting factors such as cultural background, language, socioeconomic status or geographical location. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia and Māori wāhine in Aotearoa New Zealand often experience additional barriers and worse healthcare outcomes than non-Indigenous populations due to systemic bias and discrimination. A lack of culturally safe care can further erode trust and confidence in an already sensitive area of medicine.

Many other groups also face barriers to accessing care. Migrant and refugee women, and those experiencing financial hardship or geographic isolation, can encounter additional challenges when seeking timely and appropriate healthcare.

Addressing the gender gap therefore requires an intersectional approach to policy and service reform, ensuring that overlapping inequities are recognised, that care is trauma-informed and culturally safe, and that the women most affected by these systemic barriers are not left furthest behind.

Systemic gaps in access

Pregnancy should be one of the most carefully supported periods in women’s healthcare – particularly as government concern grows over falling fertility rates. In reality, maternity care is increasingly shaped for many by financial and logistical pressures, fuelled by rising out-of-pocket costs due to MBS items not being reviewed and adjusted for inflation, unfavourable insurance policies, and shrinking service availability.

Timely and affordable services are non-negotiable in maternity care, yet women are paying escalating gap fees for essential scans and specialist appointments. At the same time, many are travelling long distances to access maternity units.

Recent closures of private maternity units across Australia, particularly in Tasmania and the Northern Territory, have rapidly narrowed birthing choice for pregnant women, including those who have top-tier insurance cover in place and yet cannot access private care because of where they live. Ongoing closures of private maternity services across the country are on account of systemic gender bias in funding and insurance.

When a private maternity unit closes, significant strain is placed on the public hospital system, causing pregnant patients to face disruption, displacement and increased travel to access time-critical care. In rural and remote communities, these closures can have cascading effects, with clinicians often leaving the area if they can no longer practise privately, leaving little or no obstetric and gynaecological service provision at all.

Choice is also diminishing in access to adequate medicines and devices used in pregnancy. Pregnant women remain routinely excluded from modern clinical research trials for new medications, meaning evidence often inadequately reflects their needs.

Many medicines used in pregnancy are decades old, prescribed off-label, and are commercially unattractive to pharmaceutical companies. As a result, shortages are common and the exclusion from clinical trials results in off-label medicines being unable to be subsidised on the PBS. The consequence is a system where pregnant women risk going without treatment and have fewer, less innovative options – not because the need is smaller, but because they have been consistently overlooked in medical advancement.

°”ÍűTV’s commitment to balancing the scales

A healthcare system that delivers lesser value for women is unacceptable. Until gender equity is achieved, RANZCOG will continue to advocate to ensure governments in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand prioritise critical issues impacting women’s health. The College consistently advocates for policy reform to deliver accessible, comprehensive care and to ensure the long-term viability of both public and private obstetrics and gynaecology in practice.

Central to this work, it’s crucial to listen not only to data, but to clinical expertise and lived experience. RANZCOG platforms clinicians’ and consumers’ viewpoints in its national consultations, such as the recently convened Collaborating for Women’s Choice: Sustainability for Private Maternity roundtable, incorporating these perspectives into discussions with government, policymakers and other key stakeholders. The College has also led a roundtable addressing medicine and device shortages focusing on short-term and long-term strategies to strengthen supply and access.

Funding reform will continue to be a core pillar of engagement with both the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand governments. RANZCOG has long been calling for an urgent review to eliminate gender disparities in MBS items to ensure that women’s health care is valued equally. The College continues to advocate for reforms to MBS funding arrangements that better reflect the true cost and complexity of obstetric and gynaecological care.

In Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, RANZCOG is working to address growing affordability barriers to obstetric ultrasounds. In New Zealand, the College to ensure all pregnant women can access clinically necessary scans.

Workforce sustainability is another critical factor in improving access to services. The College is advocating to bolster recruitment and retention in the broader O&G workforce. The RANZCOG-led Obstetrics and Gynaecology Education and Training (OGET) program, funded by the Australian Government, supports the provision of safe, local maternity services for women in rural and remote Australia by providing upskilling and skills maintenance opportunities.

The FRANZCOG Rural Obstetrics and Gynaecology Specialist Advanced Training pathway aims to encourage specialists into rural practice, equipping them with the unique skills and knowledge required to service diverse populations in these communities. These efforts are reinforced by RANZCOG’s Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Health Strategy, which provides a framework to ensure that women in remote regions have access to equitable and culturally safe maternity and gynaecological services.

Viewing workforce sustainability more broadly, it’s critical to note that the O&G workforce is a female-dominated profession. Improvements in parental leave policies and practices for the medical profession must happen to ensure that current and future generations of obstetricians and gynaecologists can build sustainable careers while balancing their own pregnancy and parenthood journeys. Furthermore, 24/7 childcare must also be available to maintain clinicians’ availability for service provision.

It’s clear that the scales will not balance themselves. Women’s health services should never be niche, undervalued or optional – they are essential for half of the population, after all.

Reproductive healthcare will be accessed by most women across many decades of their lifetime, and funding, research and service planning must reflect both critical need and clinical complexity.

This International Women’s Day, and each day to follow, RANZCOG joins the call for urgent action to dismantle the gender gap and achieve equitable health outcomes for all.

In my first edition of the President’s Blog last month, I outlined my and the College’s priorities for the year – increasing training opportunities, addressing workforce challenges, and protecting women’s choice in healthcare decisions. As we move into the second month of 2026, I’m proud to see these goals progressing, with work taking shape in RANZCOG’s education and advocacy initiatives.

Much has happened throughout the month of February. I would first like to acknowledge the allegations raised regarding a gynaecologist.

I grieve for the women affected by this case who have experienced harm and had their trust eroded. As a clinician, earning and maintaining my patients’ trust sits at the forefront of my practice, and this is built on a foundation of evidence-based, informed care, and shared decision making. I thank my colleagues who have bravely spoken up.

This is a reminder to all of us of our obligation to follow the Code of Conduct in our practice.

This is a time of reflection and action for the healthcare community – we must take accountability and measures to ensure patients receive the highest quality of support and care, based on the latest evidence-based clinical guidance.

My thoughts are with women, families, and clinicians impacted. As this is an evolving situation, I direct you to the College’s statement for more information.

I also direct you to the College’s excellent resources, including the Australian Living Evidence Guideline: Endometriosis and the Best Practice Approaches to the Management of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Joint Statement.

While we respond to the serious concerns raised by the investigation, the regular work of the College must continue. The momentum gained by consistent advocacy for equitable funding and access to excellent, evidence-based healthcare services must not be lost.

There are a number of recent government initiatives and policy developments impacting, or with the potential to impact, the O&G profession – from Safer Care Victoria’s new maternity care framework to the Labor government’s promise of IVF rebates ahead of the South Australian state election.

Over the past month, I have spoken publicly on a range of issues that affect our profession and the communities we serve, representing members and trainees and reinforcing the College’s stance on matters including birth trauma and access to fertility treatment.

Below is an overview of some of these issues, and the advocacy work that the College continues to do.

Safer Care Victoria’s Respectful Maternity and Newborn Care Framework

Safer Care Victoria released the in late 2025. The framework provides guidance for doctors and midwives responding to patients who make decisions about their care which differ from clinical recommendations. It places strong emphasis on the importance of open discussions and clear communication of evidence-based information. A framework is vital to ensuring best practice and consistent quality of care across health services.

I recently spoke with the and ABC Radio National’s , welcoming this new framework and the support it will provide for both clinicians and patients navigating difficult scenarios in partnership during pregnancy and childbirth.

Birth trauma

One of the chief aims of Safer Care Victoria’s Framework is to ensure patients feel informed and heard, mitigating the risk of birth trauma occurring. This affirms teachings in the College’s Birth Trauma Education Project (BTEP) that birth trauma can be psychological as well as physical.

Following the success of BTEP in late 2025, RANZCOG has sought funding from the Australian Commonwealth Government to support the continuation of the project, with the goal of instating it as an ongoing workshop. The College is currently conducting post-program evaluations of the pilot workshop, with results to inform the future design of BTEP.

Through equipping multidisciplinary maternity health professionals with the skills and knowledge to provide trauma-informed care, this program is an important step in reducing instances of birth trauma. I spoke with about the significance of this work, emphasising that preventing birth trauma is a shared responsibility across the entire maternity care system.

Improving access to IVF

In the lead up to the South Australian state election, RANZCOG supported the Labor government’s promise to help cover out-of-pocket fertility treatment expenses. The proposed rebate would be available for two IVF cycles – $2,000 per cycle – as well as a $250 rebate for pre-IVF testing. For many individuals and couples, cost is a major barrier to accessing fertility treatment, and RANZCOG supports any initiative that improves access to fertility care.

This would be a step in the right direction, aligning with RANZCOG’s longstanding calls for equitable access to assisted reproductive services. As RANZCOG Acting SA/NT Committee Chair Dr Kate Martin asserted at the Premier’s press conference and in an , “Fertility treatment is health care and should be accessible by all.”

Workforce

I recently represented RANZCOG at the National Maternity Workforce Strategy Consultation meeting, joining multidisciplinary healthcare professionals to contribute to the Australian Government’s .

The aim of this strategy is to improve “recruitment, retention, and culturally safe services nationwide”, with specific focuses on rural, remote, and First Nations healthcare workers. The project is currently in its development phase, with the final document set to be released mid-2026.

I look forward to its publication, and to continuing our collaboration with the Department and other stakeholders to support a sustainable workforce in O&G.

Pride in Medicine

Finally, this month also provided an opportunity to celebrate and show our support for our LGBTQIA+ members, trainees, colleagues, patients, and wider community. I had the joy of joining at the Midsumma Pride March, alongside the RACGP.

The College cherishes its relationship with Pride in Medicine, having joined numerous of their previous Mardi Gras floats, and I was proud to accompany them to their first (but certainly not last!) Midsumma Pride March in Melbourne.

Across each of these areas, the College continues to engage with members, trainees, governments, and communities to improve outcomes and clinical practice. This lies at the core of RANZCOG’s advocacy work and will continue to be a priority throughout 2026 and into the future. I look forward to progressing this vital work during my term as President and beyond.

Dr Nisha Khot
°”ÍűTV President

 

*°”ÍűTV acknowledges the need for more inclusive terminology for gender diversity. In this blog, use of the term “woman” should be interpreted to include all people requiring gynaecological and obstetric care.

Professor Anna Rosamilia is a subspecialist urogynaecologist and Head of the Pelvic floor Unit at Monash Medical Centre, Southern Health in Melbourne.

In recognition of International Urogynaecology Day celebrated annually on 20 February, the College caught up with Professor Rosamilia, who shared insights into her career journey, the evolving field of urogynaecology, and why this subspecialty plays such an important role in women’s health care.

What motivated you to become a urogynaecologist?

I first learnt about urogynaecology while working in Manchester in the UK, where I spent two years as a registrar and senior registrar. The unit was led by David Warrell and Tony Smith, two giants of the field, and it was there that I was drawn to this emerging subspecialty.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a subspecialist?

When I returned to Melbourne, I was fortunate to train with Peter Dwyer and Peter Glenning. More than 30 years ago, urogynaecology was only just beginning to develop as a distinct field, both in the UK and Australia. Being part of something so new — and so clearly needed — was deeply motivating.

Being focused on urogynaecology, I may have missed a few family planning lectures — we had four children in seven years! That period coincided with establishing a private practice and being encouraged to undertake a PhD.

From being a junior trainee at Monash just after its transition from the Queen Victoria Hospital, to being elected President of the International Urogynecology Association (IUGA) for 2025–26, I have been supported by many champions and allies.

I am especially grateful to Professor Peter Dwyer, who mentored me in subspecialty training and has been a true champion of urogynaecology in Australia and worldwide. I was encouraged along an academic path by the late Professor David Healy, and I owe much to Dr Geoff Edwards, who stepped aside so I could become Head of the Monash Pelvic Floor Unit, and to Professor Beverley Vollenhoven, the current Head of Gynaecology, who makes things happen.

For people who may not have heard of it before, what exactly is urogynaecology — and how does it differ from general gynaecology? Are there common misconceptions?

Urogynaecology focuses on pelvic floor disorders, which affect around one in four women. The most common include pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and faecal incontinence, fistula, voiding dysfunction, perineal trauma and recurrent urinary tract infections.

Every obstetrician and gynaecologist manages women with these conditions, so in that sense we all practice some urogynaecology. A subspecialist’s role is to optimise management — particularly in complex, persistent or severe cases.

A common misconception is that these problems are minor or simply part of ageing or childbirth. They can be life-altering, and they are treatable.

What might a typical day look like for you?

A typical day involves hearing women share deeply personal and confronting concerns and working with them to find solutions together.

Being a urogynaecologist has its challenges. In a single clinic day, we may need to be a psychologist, pain physician, dermatologist, sports coach, sexual counsellor and endocrinologist — as well as a skilled surgeon and thoughtful clinician.

It can feel impossible to give patients all the time they need while empowering them to make informed decisions, managing complications, and knowing when to ask for help.

On reflection, this mirrors many aspects of parenting. Whether at home or work, I try to stay humble about what I know, curious about what I don’t, and always keep communication open. We are all works in progress.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

I am deeply proud of the Pelvic Floor Unit at Monash Health, a busy tertiary service across multiple campuses. We are a close-knit team that offers exceptional care to women and excellent training to RANZCOG Certificate of Urogynaecology (CU) trainees, as well as international fellows and observers, over more than two decades.

It is immensely rewarding to see our trainees’ become consultants in Australia and overseas, and to watch them emerge as leaders in their own right. I also value the research collaborations we have fostered — working with basic scientists and engineers at the Hudson Institute, alongside funding bodies increasingly interested in advancing urogynaecology.

Serving as President of IUGA is rewarding because it allows me to advocate for pelvic health as part of women’s health globally and raise public awareness of urogynaecology as a subspecialty. For a society more than 3,000 members strong across 110 countries, this is no less than a civic duty — especially at a time in world affairs when bold collaboration is essential.

This month we were able to add pelvic floor disorders to the Women’s Health Strategy submitted to the European Parliament. We have also published a white paper that argues pelvic floor disorders should be included in maternal health policy which will lead to increased access to care in low resource settings.

In our field, empathy is fundamental. Some may view pelvic floor problems as minor inconveniences, but they are anything but minor. Our interventions can be transformative and so rewarding for ourpatientsand ourselves.

I think of the marathon runner whose continence and prolapse surgery restored her love of running. The cancer survivor with painful intercourse who was expected simply to be grateful she had survived. The woman who says “bless you, doctor” every time she does star jumps without leaking. The patient who believed the misery of recurrent UTIs would never end. The woman whose refractory overactive bladder was cured with Botox.

These are real people whose lives were transformed by thoughtful, evidence-based care.

It is often said that patients don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. As urogynaecologists — and as gynaecologists more broadly — we should commit to beginning with empathy and ending with excellence.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG, the College) is deeply distressed to learn of the allegations raised by ABC and expresses its sincere regret to the women who have experienced harm under the care of this medical practitioner. The alleged conduct does not in any way align with the values of the College.

°”ÍűTV takes its responsibility for education, training and setting the standards of best practice care in obstetrics and gynaecology very seriously and remains committed to fostering the highest standards of clinical practice, demonstrated recently by the release of the College’s updated Australian Living Evidence Guideline: Endometriosis and associated learning resources in May 2025. The guideline provides a comprehensive evidence-based framework for the diagnosis and management of endometriosis, including non-invasive, surgical and other treatment options.

°”ÍűTV works in parallel to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in the regulation, assessment and training of specialists in Australia. While RANZCOG sets education and training standards and develops clinical guidelines, the College is not a statutory body and has no regulatory authority to determine whether a clinician may continue to practice.

°”ÍűTV’s procedure for managing formal complaints against its members does not extend to complaints from the public about a clinician’s clinical or business conduct. This is because such matters fall within the remit of statutory regulators (AHPRA and the Medical Council of New Zealand). Upon learning of an issue, RANZCOG refers these complaints to the appropriate external authorities with the legal power to investigate and take action.

Media enquiries

Bec McPhee
Head of Advocacy & Communications
bmcphee@ranzcog.edu.au
+61 413 258 166

Following the Tasmanian OGET Hub’s successful first workshop in the North region earlier in 2025, the NorthWest Sub Hub has now delivered its own inaugural session, held on 10 December 2025 on beautiful King Island.

This marks the first opportunity for the NorthWest team to bring local clinicians together for hands‑on, scenario‑based emergency training.

The workshop was led by Prof. Boon Lim, Clinical Director, and Kelly Cooper, Clinical Midwifery Educator, who guided participants through a series of high‑value clinical modules, including:

• Management of unexpected preterm birth
• Response and escalation for postpartum haemorrhage
• Practical neonatal resuscitation, featuring the Neopuff infant resuscitator and CPR practice on preterm and infant manikins

A total of nine participants attended, representing a mix of GPs, nurses, students and educators. The multidisciplinary nature of the group created a rich learning environment, with participants collaborating closely to navigate emergency scenarios and refine their clinical decision‑making.

Feedback from the day echoed the strong enthusiasm seen across the Tasmanian Hub since its launch. Participants highlighted the program’s value in strengthening confidence, enhancing teamwork, and providing meaningful professional development in maternity care.

What’s next

With momentum building, the NorthWest Sub Hub has scheduled additional workshops for 2026, with sessions planned in Smithton, Queenstown, Mersey and Burnie. These upcoming events will continue to support clinicians across the region with accessible, high‑quality obstetric and gynaecology emergency training.

The Tasmanian OGET Hub remains committed to empowering clinicians statewide and fostering safer, more connected maternity care for women and families across Tasmania.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG, the College) is pleased to announce that applications for the Jean Murray Jones Scholarship will be opening soon for 2026. This scholarship provides financial support to a Western-Australia based FRANZCOG Advanced Trainee or Fellow to undertake training or professional development outside WA in the field of women’s health, to provide experience which is not readily available in the state.

Dr Sebastian Leathersich was the recipient of the Jean Murray Jones Scholarship in 2024. A subspecialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI), Dr Leathersich undertook a two-year clinical research fellowship in Spain at Dexeus Mujer and the University of Barcelona with the support of the scholarship.

The College interviewed Dr Leathersich to learn more about his experience and how it has influenced his clinical practice upon his return to Western Australia.

What inspired you to apply for the Jean Murray Jones Scholarship?

As he reached the end of his FRANZCOG training and was partway through his CREI subspecialty training, Dr Leathersich was eager to gain an international perspective on clinical practice that he was unable to access within Western Australia. “I also wanted the opportunity to engage in more clinical research that I felt wasn’t really available in Australia.”

Through researching international opportunities, he identified the two-year combined clinical research fellowship at internationally acclaimed institution Dexeus Mujer, in Barcelona. As is the case with many international fellowships, Dr Leathersich would be required to obtain external funding. This is where the Jean Murray Jones Scholarship enabled him to take 18 months away from clinical work in Australia to pursue research in Spain, which is forming the basis for his PhD.

What did you enjoy the most about the experience of working in Barcelona?

In addition to the joys of living in a beautiful Mediterranean city and polishing his Spanish language skills, Dr Leathersich valued working in a unit that produces extensive clinical research.

It gave me the opportunity to learn and understand how to run clinical trials, how to design and implement clinical research. That’s something that I’ll certainly be bringing back into my practice here.

During his two-year fellowship, Dr Leathersich worked under the supervision of internationally recognised reproductive medicine leader Professor Nikolaos Polyzos. He reflects that he developed and cemented “global relationships with collaborators that I hope to continue to work with throughout the rest of my career.”

Having an international network of academic and clinical colleagues is invaluable. “I can pick up the phone any hour of the day to talk through similar problems that we might encounter here within our clinical work or in implementing clinical research programmes.”

What are some of the skills that you developed overseas that you’ve brought back to your clinical practice in Western Australia?

Dr Leathersich emphasises that one of the most beneficial skills he acquired through his international experience was learning different ways of approaching clinical problems.

Working within a health system that has very different regulation and very different structure, in Spain, allowed me to understand different ways of managing common problems within infertility and reproductive endocrinology that we don’t have here in Australia.

What are your key tips or recommendations for anyone considering applying for the Jean Murray Jones Scholarship?

Anyone who is reaching the completion of their training in Western Australia should consider if the scholarship could benefit them, Dr Leathersich says.

“Consider what your priorities are, what you’d like to achieve with your fellowship…and consider how your fellowship is going to contribute back to the WA community when you return.” He encourages applicants to think “outside the box [about] how you can gain something that you wouldn’t get within WA or within Australia.”

How to apply

The Jean Murray Jones Scholarship opens on Thursday 30 April 2026 to any Western Australian-based RANZCOG Fellows or FRANCOG Trainees who have completed all requirements of core training. If you are interested in applying for the 2026 scholarship, now is the time to explore opportunities you would like to pursue outside of WA.

Additional eligibility criteria and application information is available on the Jean Murray Jones Scholarship page. Applications close on Tuesday 30 June 2026.

For further queries, please contact foundation@ranzcog.edu.au.