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
TV President
