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 14th 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.
TV 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:
- Map the state’s healthcare gaps
- Plan the medical workforce properly
- 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
TV President
