The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

College Statements

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College Statements

Statements of the RANZCOG

College statements are available on a range of issues relating to obstetrics and gynaecology. Statements are defined in five categories as set out below:

Clinical Obstetrics C-Obs

Clinical Gynaecology C-Gyn

Clinical General C-Gen

Clinical Training C-Trg

Workforce and Practice Issues WPI

For guidelines/statements on other areas not covered by existing College Statements and for additional material, please refer to College Endorsed Statements of Other Bodies.

Other Useful Resources are also available.

Clinical - Obstetrics

C-Obs 1 ( 47 KB)	Obstetricians and childbirth: responsibilities July 2007 First Endorsed - July 1992 Review Due - July 2010 Previously titled: 'Parents, obstetricians and childbirth: rights and responsibilities'
C-Obs 2 ( 41 KB)	Home births June 2008 First Endorsed - March 1987 Review Due - June 2011
C-Obs 3 ( 60 KB)	Antenatal Screening Tests June 2008 First Endorsed - July 1992 Review Due - June 2011
C-Obs 4 ( 92 KB)	Prenatal screening tests for trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) and neural tube defects July 2007 First Endorsed - August 1991 Review Due - March 2010 Previously titled: ' (formerly Joint HGSA/RANZCOG r ecommended 'Best Practice' Guidelines on antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other fetal aneuploidy) '
C-Obs 5 ( 129 KB)	Joint HGSA/RANZCOG Prenatal Diagnosis Policy November 2006 First Endorsed - 1990 Review Due - November 2008
C-Obs 6 ( 44 KB)	Guidelines for the use of RhD immunoglobulin (Anti-D) in Obstetrics in Australia March 2007 First Endorsed - 1995 Review Due - March 2010
C-Obs 7 ( 48 KB)	Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus June 2008 First Endorsed - November 1991 Review Due - June 2011
C-Obs 8 ( 74 KB)	Standing orders for Prescribing Narcotic Drugs to Obstetric Patients during Labour November 2007 First Endorsed - 1995 Review Due - November 2010
C-Obs 9 ( 37 KB)	Standards for epidural and spinal anaesthesia in obstetric practice November 2006 First Endorsed - October 1993 Review Due - November 2009
C-Obs 10 ( 29 KB)	Neonatal male circumcision July 2007 First Endorsed - October 1995 Review Due - November 2009
C-Obs 11 ( 35 KB)	Planned breech deliveries at term November 2007 First Endorsed - February 2001 Review Due - November 2009
C-Obs 12 ( 91 KB)	The use of Misoprostol in obstetrics and gynaecology November 2007 First Endorsed - November 2001 Review Due - November 2010
C-Obs 13 ( 38 KB)	Rotational forceps November 2006 First Endorsed - February 2002 Review Due - November 2009
C-Obs 14 ( 39 KB)	Decision to delivery interval for caesarean section July 2007 First Endorsed - July 2002 Review Due - July 2009
C-Obs 15 ( 39 KB)	The use of nifedipine in obstetrics June 2008 First Endorsed - July 2002 Review Due -June 2011
C-Obs 16 ( 53 KB)	Instrumental Vaginal Delivery November 2006 First Endorsed - July 2002 Review Due - November 2009
C-Obs 17 ( 1.69 MB Large)	Clinical Guidelines - Intrapartum Fetal Survellance - Second Edition Algorithm Summary Feedback sheet May 2006 First Endorsed - November 2002 Second Edition March 2006
C-Obs 18 ( 45 KB)	Umbilical cord blood banking July 2007 First Endorsed - February 2003 Review Due - November 2009
C-Obs 19 ( 503 KB)	Swabbing for Group B Streptococcus July 2007 First Endorsed - July 2003 Review Due - July 2009 Previously titled: ' Swabbing for Group B Streptococcus'
C-Obs 20 ( 88 KB)	Placenta accreta November 2007 First Endorsed - November 2003 Review Due - November 2010
C-Obs 21 ( 38 KB)	Management of the third stage of labour November 2007 First Endorsed - November 2003 Review Due - July 2010
C-Obs 22 ( 589 KB)	Use of prostaglandins for cervical ripening prior to the induction of labour July 2006 First Endorsed - July 2006 Next Review Due - March 2009
C-Obs 23 ( 36 KB)	Timing Of Elective Caesarean Section November 2006 First Endorsed - November 2006 Review Due - July 2009
C-Obs 24 ( 56 KB)	Warm water immersion in labour and birth July 2008 First Endorsed - July 2008 Review Due - July 2011
C-Obs 25 ( 42 KB)	Mineral and vitamin supplementation in pregnancy July 2008 First Endorsed - July 2008 Review Due - July 2011

Clinical - Gynaecology

C-Gyn 1 ( 35 KB)	Female genital mutilation / cutting (formerly Female genital mutilation ) July 2007 First Endorsed - March 1994 Review Due - July 2010
C-Gyn 2 ( 33 KB)	Ovarian stimulation in infertility November 2007 First Endorsed - March 1995 Review Due - November 2010
C-Gyn 3 ( 40 KB)	Intrauterine contraceptive devices and infection July 2007 First Endorsed - July 1991 Review Due - July 2010
C-Gyn 4 ( 595 KB)	Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (Depo Provera) March 2006 First Endorsed - July 1994 Review Due - March 2009
C-Gyn 5 ( 90 KB)	Screening for the prevention of cervical cancer July 2008 First Endorsed - July 1991 Review Due - July 2011
C-Gyn 6 ( 34 KB)	Investigation of intermenstrual and postcoital bleeding July 2007 First Endorsed - September 1995 Review Due - July 2009 Previously titled: 'Guidelines for referral for investigations of intermenstrual and postcoital bleeding'
C-Gyn 7 ( 592 KB)	Use of the Veress needle to obtain pneumoperitoneum prior to laparoscopy July 2006 First Endorsed - April 1990 Review Due - November 2008
C-Gyn 8 ( 48 KB)	Pap smears after hysterectomy November 2007 First Endorsed - July 1994 Review Due - November 2010
C-Gyn 9 ( 593 KB)	Management of the menopause July 2006 First Endorsed - March 1995 Review Due - July 2008
C-Gyn 10 ( 34 KB)	Sterilisation procedures for women with an intellectual disability March 2007 First Endorsed - 1997 Review Due - March 2010 Previously titled: 'Sterilisation of intellectually disabled females'
C-Gyn 11 ( 41 KB)	Emergency contraception July 2007 First Endorsed - 1995 Review Due - July 2009
C-Gyn 12 ( 48 KB)	Tamoxifen and the endometrium November 2006 First Endorsed - May 1996 Review Due - November 2008
C-Gyn 13	RANZCOG/RACGP Joint Statement on Pap smears Withdrawn November 2006 See C-Gyn 19 : RANZCOG Statement on Papsmears Statement on Papsmears
C-Gyn 14 ( 34 KB)	Mifepristone (RU486) November 2007 First Endorsed - November 2001 Review Due - November 2010
C-Gyn 15 ( 44 KB)	Management of the menopause after breast cancer March 2008 First Endorsed - February 2003 Review Due - March 2011
C-Gyn 16 ( 47 KB)	Hormone Therapy Advice Statement September 2007 First Endorsed - November 2004 Review Due - November 2009
C-Gyn 17 ( 46 KB)	Termination of pregnancy March 2007 First Endorsed - March 2005 Review Due - March 2009
C-Gyn 18 ( 68 KB)	Guidelines for HPV vaccine November 2006 First Endorsed - November 2006 Review Due - July 2009
C-Gyn 19 ( 68 KB)	RANZCOG / RACGP Statement on Pap Smears November 2006 First Endorsed - November 2006 Review Due - November 2008
C-Gyn 20 ( 68 KB)	The use of Mesh in Gynaecological Surgery July 2007 First Endorsed - July 2007 Review Due - July 2009
C-Gyn 21 ( 50 KB)	C-Gyn 21: The use of mifepristone for medical termination of pregnancy November 2007 First Endorsed - November 2007 Review Due - November 2010
C-Gyn 22 ( 43 KB)	C-Gyn 22: Filshie Clip Sterilisation July 2008 First Endorsed - November 2007 Review Due - July 2011
C-Gyn 23 ( 43 KB)	C-Gyn 23: Uterine Artery Embolisation for the treatment of Uterine Fibroids March 2008 First Endorsed - March 2008 Review Due - March 2011
C-Gyn 24 ( 35 KB)	C-Gyn 24: Vaginal 'rejuvenation' and cosmetic vaginal procedures July 2008 First Endorsed - July 2008 Review Due - July 2011

Clinical - General

C-Gen 1 ( 592 KB)	Guidelines for College Fellows participating in the RANZCOG Expert Witness Register July 2006 First Endorsed - April 1990 Review Due - November 2008
C-Gen 2 ( 105 KB)	Guidelines for consent and the provision of information regarding proposed treatment March 2006 First Endorsed - September 1993 Review Due - March 2008
C-Gen 3 ( 34 KB)	Hepatitis B July 2007 First Endorsed - November 1990 Review Due - July 2009
C-Gen 4 ( 34 KB)	Hepatitis C July 2007 First Endorsed - June 1998 Review Due - November 2009
C-Gen 5 ( 618 KB)	Women and smoking March 2006 First Endorsed - November 2001 Review Due - November 2008
C-Gen 6 ( 39 KB)	Guidelines for visiting surgeons conducting demonstration sessions March 2007 First Endorsed - February 2003 Review Due - March 2010
C-Gen 7 ( 33 KB)	Guidelines for gynaecological examinations and procedures November 2007 First Endorsed - November 2004 Review Due - November 2009
C-Gen 8 ( 46 KB)	Diethylstilboestrol _DES_ Exposure in Utero March 2007 First Endorsed - November 2006 Review Due - March 2010
C-Gen 9 ( 33 KB)	Assessment of Competency November 2006 First Endorsed - November 2006 Review Due - November 2008
C-Gen 10 ( 33 KB)	Use of Non-medical Ultrasound November 2006 First Endorsed - November 2006 Review Due - November 2008
C-Gen 11 ( 35 KB)	Postnatal/Perinatal Depression July 2007 First Endorsed - July 2007 Review Due - July 2010
C-Gen 12 ( 33 KB)	Performance of Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations by RANZCOG Trainees July 2007 First Endorsed - July 2007 Review Due - July 2010
C-Gen 13 ( 33 KB)	Alcohol in pregnancy July 2008 First Endorsed - July 2008 Review Due - July 2011

Clinical - Training

C-Trg 1 ( 39 KB)	Guidelines for training in advanced endoscopic surgery and endometrial ablations March 2007 First Endorsed - March 1994 Review Due - March 2009 Previously titled: 'Guidelines for training in advanced endoscopic surgery'
C-Trg 2 ( 39 KB)	Guidelines for performing advanced operative laparoscopy July 2007 First Endorsed - September 1995 Review Due - November 2010
C-Trg 3	Guidelines for endometrial ablations Retired - this statement is now covered under C-Trg 1
C-Trg 4 ( 39 KB)	Use of lasers in obstetrics and gynaecology by Fellows and Trainees of the RANZCOG (RANZCOG and AGES Consensus Statement) July 2007 First Endorsed - July 2002 Review Due - July 2010 Previously titled: 'Use of lasers by Fellows of the College'

Workforce and Practice Issues

WPI 1 ( 84 KB)	Guidelines for prospective trainee interview panels This information now appears in the Training Program Handbook
WPI 2 ( 66 KB)	Disability policy with regard to the selection of trainees This information now appears in the Training Program Handbook
WPI 3 ( 49 KB)	Policy on prejudicial relationships March 2005 First Endorsed - February 1998 Currently under review
WPI 4 ( 577 KB)	Guidelines for the interview and selection of visiting and salaried medical officers and academic staff March 2008 First Endorsed - 1993 Review Due - March 2011
WPI 5 ( 39 KB)	Hospital access for the practice of obstetrics by general practitioners March 2007 First Endorsed - 1994 Review Due - March 2009
WPI 6 ( 39 KB)	Guidelines for the assistance of hospital privileges committees in the delineation of clinical privileges for general practitioners practising obstetrics March 2007 First Endorsed - August 1994 Review Due - March 2009
WPI 7	RANZCOG privacy policy on handling personal information relating to College members July 2002 This statement is now covered under the College's internal policies and procedures.
WPI 8 ( 61 KB)	Guidelines for patient record management on the discontinuation of practice March 2007 First Endorsed - July 2001 Review Due - March 2009
WPI 9 ( 49 KB)	JCCO policy statement on shared antenatal care for low risk obstetric patients May 2007 First Endorsed - July 2001 Review Due - November 2009
WPI 10 ( 79 KB)	Antenatal care in Australian public hospitals November 2007 First Endorsed - November 2001 Review Due - November 2010
WPI 11 ( 44 KB)	Obstetrician's Competence and performance July 2007 First Endorsed - July 2003 Review Due - March 2010 Previously titled: 'The requirements for competent obstetric practitioners'
WPI 12 ( 588 KB)	Guidelines for locum positions in specialist obstetric and gynaecological practice in Australia and New Zealand July 2006 First Endorsed - March 2004 Review Due - November 2008
WPI 13 ( 51 KB)	Re-entry guidelines following a prolonged period of absence from practice and retraining programs for Fellows July 2006 First Endorsed - March 2004 Review Due - March 2009
WPI 14 ( 191 KB)	RANZCOG / ANZCA / RACGP / ACCRM Position Statement on the provision of obstetric anaesthesia services March 2007 First Endorsed - March 2007 Review Due - March 2009
WPI 15 ( 33 KB)	Statement on Stand-alone Primary Childbirth Units July 2007 First Endorsed - July 2005 Review Due - July 2009
WPI 16 ( 41 KB)	Clinical Training Whilst Pregnant July 2007 First Endorsed - July 2007 Review Due - March 2010
WPI 17 ( 33 KB)	Guidelines for the appointment of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to Specialist positions in Australia and New Zealand July 2007 First Endorsed - July 2007 Review Due - July 2009
WPI 18 ( 33 KB)	Fatigue and the Obstetrician/Gynaecologist July 2007 First Endorsed - July 2007 Review Due - July 2009

What are College Statements?

History

Since the foundation of the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RACOG), Council has adopted or endorsed various policies, guidelines and protocols, some initiated within the College and others adopted from other organisations. Since the amalgamation of the RACOG and the Royal New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 1998, all statements have been reviewed to ensure their applicability and relevance to practice in both Australia and New Zealand. It is current College practice that all College Statements are reviewed on a biennial basis, or earlier if the need arises.

College Statements relate to a Code of Practice which the College believes is an ethical one and which should, under reasonable circumstances, be defensible in law. While the information and philosophies contained herein do not exclude other views and attitudes, the College would wish the relevant section put forward when a College view is being sought on a given topic. However, it is further acknowledged that clinical management must always be responsive to the needs of individual patients, resources, and limitations unique to the institutions or type of practice.

For ease of reference, statements initiated within the College are listed here under 'College Statements' and statements, guidelines and/or policies promulgated by other bodies and endorsed by the College are listed under 'College Endorsed Statements'.

Note: Previous hard copy folders of RACOG College Policies should be discarded.

Acknowledgement

The Council acknowledges with gratitude those who have given of their time and knowledge, both from within and outside the College, in the preparation and review of College statements.