Media

RANZCOG Media Releases / Media Alerts

College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists:
‘It’s time to reduce maternal deaths in the Pacific’

11 March 2010

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) today officially acknowledged the release of the report ‘Making Maternal Health Matter’ produced by the New Zealand Parliamentarians’ group on Population and Development (NZPPD).

‘The Report from the NZPGPD is a welcome acknowledgement of challenging issues in the provision of maternal health in our neighbouring countries.  In Australia and New Zealand, women have access to some of the best maternal services worldwide, we have low maternal mortality rates and most pregnancies proceed to a good outcome for mother and child’, said RANZCOG spokesperson, Associate Professor Rajat Gyaneshwar.

‘For many of our neighbours in Pacific island countries however, the road to motherhood can be a life and death situation, particular for women in Papua New Guinea and other isolated communities spread across the Pacific.

‘As pregnancies become safer for women in Australia and New Zealand, our sisters in the Pacific are worse off than they were several decades ago.  There are many reasons for this - shortage of trained staff, poor health facilities, poor infrastructure and disempowerment of women due to their socioeconomic status.

‘Maternal health gets lost in competing government priorities and as such does not get the budgetary support required. To change this situation, the public needs to be better informed so that governments in our regional work together to become more responsive to the needs of women.  The status and priority accorded to women’s health issues has enormous flow on effects to the standard of living in communities and populations of countries in the Pacific. 

‘We welcome the commitment of the NZPGPD and its recommendations to governments, regional and donor organisations, and acknowledge the call to RANZCOG to assist with methods of providing sustainable training for reproductive health care providers, methods of delivery of service in the Pacific, and ongoing supervision and support to improve the capability, capacity and stability of the Pacific maternal health workforce.  

‘RANZCOG is ready and well positioned to help with advice about human resource development and setting clinical standards to make pregnancies safer in particular, but also improve women's health in general.  We are keen to partner government and aid agencies to meet the goals set out in the Report and are already in regular communication with regional counterparts’, according to Associate Professor Rajat Gyaneshwar. 

For further information or to arrange an interview in Australia with Assoc. Professor Rajat Gyaneshwar or in New Zealand with Dr Alec Ekeroma, please contact:

Julia Serafin, Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

(w) 03 9412 2961 (m) 0488 367 476  

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College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists Supports ACT Government Review of Maternity Services at Canberra Hospital

1 March 2010

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) has today come out in support of the ACT Government’s decision to convene two external reviews of the Women and Children’s Health Services department at Canberra Hospital to investigate allegations of workplace bullying and of possible substandard patient care on a few occasions.

“The College is very supportive of the doctors and other maternity staff at Canberra Hospital, and we want to assure the Canberra community that they seem to provide safe care that is objectively comparable to other metropolitan areas in Australia. Women can anticipate that they will receive high quality maternity care at the hospital,” said RANZCOG President, Dr Ted Weaver.

“Clearly there seem to be some workplace problems at Canberra Hospital, and I am confident that these enquiries from the ACT Government will address these issues and attempt to provide a constructive and encouraging framework for workforce at the hospital in future.

“The College is committed to working with the ACT Government during this critical time to ensure significant action is undertaken and to ensure that any problems are dealt with in a considered and professional way.

“It seems unfair for the maternity staff at the hospital to be subject to a ‘trial by media’, when the sort of issues raised should be dealt with by the appropriate authorities,” said Dr Weaver.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) is dedicated to maintaining the highest possible standards in obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia and New Zealand.

For further information or to arrange an interview with Dr Weaver, please contact:

Julia Serafin, Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

(w) 03 9412 2961 (m) 0488 367 476

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RANZCOG Supports the Health Minister’s Quality and Safety Push in Maternity Services

5 February 2010

The New Zealand Committee of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) today welcomed Health Minister Tony Ryall’s announcement that work is now underway on the main recommendations from the recent consultations on a Draft Maternity Action Plan.

‘The College fully supports the Minister’s focus on improving quality and safety for pregnant women and their babies’, said RANZCOG New Zealand Committee Chair, Dr John Tait.

‘We have an extremely busy 18 months ahead of us,’ said Dr Tait.

Over the next 18 months, the Ministry and RANZCOG (along with other stakeholders) will be focussed on:

• Developing national quality and safety standards including maternity service standards, clinical indicators and key performance indicators;
• Revising referral guidelines to include protocols for transfers of care and emergency transfers;
• Improving maternity information systems and analysis, as recommended by the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee; and
• Developing standardised, electronically transferable maternity notes, to improve communication in transfers to other professionals.

For further information or to arrange an interview with Dr Tait, please contact:
Kate Bell, Executive Officer, New Zealand Committee, RANZCOG
(m) 021 509 032

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College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists has Concerns about Home Birth Study

18 January 2010

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) has concerns about the results of the new South Australian study, reported in this week’s Australian Medical Journal (MJA). The results of the study show higher risks for perinatal deaths associated with home births when compared to hospital births.

‘This study raises again significant concerns about the safety of home births’, said RANZCOG President, Dr Ted Weaver.

‘We should be very careful when changing current systems of maternity care, as we are presently working towards with the Maternity Services review, that we do not compromise the safety for both the mother and baby and potentially have disastrous outcomes for families’, said Dr Weaver today.

‘Women do need the care of an obstetrician, either a specialist, or GP obstetrician, working in cooperation with other maternity service providers in a multidisciplinary team to provide optimal care, and most choice, to meet a woman’s needs during pregnancy. Fortunately, most obstetricians in Australia are committed to working collaboratively with the other caregivers in maternity services, to try to ensure a level of care that is safe, feels safe, is women-centred and culturally appropriate. The fact that women choose to give birth at home, because they feel they cannot get what they want in hospital is a concern that should be addressed.’

‘It is essential that all health workers providing maternity health services, work together to provide the best outcomes for mothers and babies. Trust and cooperation between all those involved in maternity care is vital to the provision of safe maternity care, especially if women are transferred to hospital after an attempted homebirth, as evidenced by the MJA article’, said Dr Weaver.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) is dedicated to maintaining the highest possible standards in obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia and New Zealand.

To view the College’s official statement on home births:

http://www.ranzcog.edu.au/publications/statements/C-obs2.pdf

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17 December 2009

JOINT STATEMENT ON COLLABORATIVE CARE

Australian Medical Association

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

Three of Australia’s peak medical groups today called on the Senate Community Affairs Committee that is inquiring into the Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009 and two related Bills to support the Government’s amendments to the Bill.

The Australian Medical Association, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners support Government amendments that will require midwives and nurse practitioners to work in formal collaborative arrangements with medical practitioners.

They said that collaborative care was essential for the quality, safety and continuity of patient care.

Patients enjoy better heath outcomes when they are treated in a model of care that provides coordinated, continuous and comprehensive patient-centred care delivered by appropriately trained health professionals.

It is imperative that collaborative care arrangements are put in place between health professionals who are involved in patient care and in a position to consider the clinical needs of a patient.

Doctors have been working effectively with other health care professionals for generations. The Government’s amendments to the legislation currently before Parliament clearly support this approach and are sufficiently flexible to allow different team-based models to be developed, based on local circumstances and the clinical needs of patients.

This approach is entirely consistent with the recommendations of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, the Primary Health care Reform report, the Report of the Maternity Services Review and the Government’s stated intention to expand choice and access to services provided by nurse practitioners and midwives working collaboratively with doctors.

The cooperative participation by the medical profession in such collaborative care arrangements is based on what will be in the best interests of patients, consistent with the ethical framework that doctors have always worked under.

It is unhelpful to suggest (as some lobby groups have) that midwives, nurse practitioners and doctors will be competing with each other under collaborative care arrangements. If this notion is accepted by midwives, nurse practitioners and doctors, true clinical collaboration will never be possible.

We therefore strongly caution against the adoption of a presumption of competition rather than clinical collaboration.

In the absence of meaningful collaboration, there are a number of inherent risks to patient care, including:

- fragmentation of patient care by excluding or limiting General Practitioners and other medical specialists from the coordination and/or delivery of patient care,

- increased risk of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis,

- increased risk of adverse outcomes from the interaction of different medications and treatments prescribed by different health professionals,

- increased cost to the health system because of extra tests being ordered and inappropriate referrals,

- unplanned medical intervention being required at the last minute when things go wrong, and

- communication between health professionals breaking down and professional silos worsening.

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For further information or to arrange an interview with the President, please contact:
Julia Serafin, Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG
(m) 0488 367 476; (e) jserafin@ranzcog.edu.au (w) www.ranzcog.edu.au

13 November 2009

National Breastfeeding Strategy: A worthwhile initiative that is long overdue

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) today welcomed the release of the Federal Government’s Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy, however expressed disappointment that the Government did not develop the document in consultation with professional health bodies like RANZCOG to effectively address this key health issue. It is even more surprising given the Government’s commitment to collaborative care in its proposed reforms to maternity care.

‘It is timely that this important area in maternal and child health is addressed, and we are very pleased to see the Government has recognised the importance of women being adequately informed about breastfeeding and encouraging them to breastfeed for at least the first six months of her baby’s life’, said RANZCOG President, Dr Ted Weaver.

‘What we now need to see from the Government are two things. Firstly we need a national education program targeting new and potential mothers antenatally to illustrate the benefits of breastfeeding for a mother and her baby, and secondly, appropriate post natal care support facilities to be put in place in the wider community, to allow women the opportunity to be guided and supported, preferably by a known carer, after they have given birth and may be experiencing difficulties in breastfeeding their baby.

‘Hospitals also need to be adequately resourced to allow women who are having difficulties in initiating breastfeeding to have the access to skilled health professionals such as obstetricians, lactation consultants and midwives, who can work collaboratively to achieve successful lactation, and to possibly have a longer postnatal stay in hospital’, said Dr Weaver.

The State and Federal Government’s proposed five year plan is to promote breastfeeding as a way to improve infant health, and to address the problem of childhood obesity and ultimately, chronic adult disease in Australia.

Download the release (345KB)

For further information or to arrange an interview with the President, please contact:
Julia Serafin, Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG
(m) 0488 367 476; (e) jserafin@ranzcog.edu.au; (w) www.ranzcog.edu.au

19 October 2009

College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists URGES Australian Women to get the Free HPV Vaccine before December deadline

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) is strongly advocating the importance for Australian women to remember to go to their doctor and receive their second and third Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, before the Australian program funded free HPV vaccination for all women aged between 12 to 26 years of age runs out on 31 December 2009.

‘The College is urging Australian women to take advantage of the free HPV vaccination. This vaccine not only has the enormous potential of saving women’s lives, but it also reduces the need for women to access hospital treatment’, said RANZCOG President, Dr Weaver.

‘Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer morbidity and mortality in women. We recommend the vaccination of women aged nine to 26 years against HPV and endorse both the Australian and New Zealand National HPV Programs’, according to Dr Weaver.

‘We congratulate the Federal Government and in particular Health Minister Nicola Roxon, for their commitment in providing the vaccine free to girls and young women in Australia, as part of the National HPV vaccination program’, said Dr Weaver today.

According to RANZCOG’s College statement titled: Screening for the prevention of cervical cancer, primary prevention of cervical cancer is enhanced with HPV vaccination. Seventy percent of all cervical cancers are caused by HPV 16 and 18.

View the current College statements on:

Guidelines for HPV vaccine
http://www.ranzcog.edu.au/publications/statements/C-gyn18.pdf

Screening for the prevention of cervical cancer:
http://www.ranzcog.edu.au/publications/statements/C-gyn5.pdf

Download the release (160KB)

For further information or to arrange an interview with the President, please contact:
Julia Serafin, Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG
(m) 0488 367 476; (e) jserafin@ranzcog.edu.au (w) www.ranzcog.edu.au

17 July 2009

College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists Advises Pregnant Women to be Alert but not Alarmed about Swine Flu

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) has today officially released a statement on swine flu for all pregnant women and has advised them to be alert to the possibility of infection and seek appropriate medical help if they have concerns about themselves or the health of their pregnancy.

The College statement, available on the RANZCOG website: http://www.ranzcog.edu.au/connexion/pdfs/17_July_2009_Swine_Flu_and_Pregnancy_Statement.pdf

, emphasises that basic personal hygiene measures are the most important strategies in the prevention of H1N1 influenza in pregnancy, suggesting that simple hand washing and covering the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing and hygienic disposal of tissues are all simple but effective measures.

‘Pregnant women are an at-risk group and efforts should be made to avoid those situations where transmission might occur such as in crowded areas or in the workplace’, said RANZCOG President Dr Ted Weaver.

‘If women are very concerned that they may contract the infection or have other risk factors such as, cigarette smoking, asthma or other chronic diseases, they could take further precautions such as wearing a face mask. This is not essential if the exposure risk is low.

‘In an event where a woman does contract swine flu, it is likely that the benefits of anti-viral treatment (e.g. tamiflu) will outweigh any theoretical risks’, said Dr Weaver.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) is dedicated to maintaining the highest possible standards in obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia and New Zealand. For further information or to arrange an interview with Dr Weaver, please contact: Julia Serafin, Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG (m) 0488 367 476

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For further information or to arrange an interview with Dr Weaver, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

18 May 2009

Obstetricians & Gynaecologists Joins the Call for NT Children Protection Law to be Reviewed

The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) urges the Northern Territory Government to review the States Care and Protection of Children Act, and joins in the concerns of other professional medical colleges and the Australian Medical Association (AMA).

The Northern Territory legislation now requires everyone to notify the authorities if they believe any child under the age of 16 to be sexually active. 

‘This will undoubtedly negatively affect the contact of such children with their medical practitioner and the trust they place in the health care system in general.  A trust in the confidentiality of the doctor-patient relationship is key requirement in the care of these adolescents, according to RANZCOG President, Dr Ted Weaver.

‘We recognise that sexual abuse of minors remains a serious problem in contemporary society and that the intent of the new legislation is to protect young people.

‘However, RANZCOG is concerned that this legislation may deter sexually-active teenagers from seeking medical advice from their general practitioner or gynaecologist and therefore potentially have adverse consequences in this very important group of patients, said Dr Weaver.

‘Research has shown that many young people are sexually active under 16 years of age, the majority in consensual circumstances. It is our concern that the health care these young people may require in areas such as contraceptive advice, sexually transmitted disease prevention and treatment, antenatal care as well as general medical care may be impacted upon by this legislation. 

‘Of further concern is that an increased number of reports to child protection agencies that may be inappropriate, may compromise these services ability to investigate legitimate cases of suspected child abuse in a prompt manner. 

‘Resources should be directed toward the provision of preventative health care to adolescents - by GPs, specialised services and in the schools.  Paying particular attention to a comprehensive sex education programme for school children and enhanced surveillance programmes for STIs, said Dr Weaver.

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For further information or to arrange an interview with Dr Weaver, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

29 April 2009

Pregnant Women Should be Particularly Careful if Travelling Overseas

In light of the recent swine flu breakout to hit Mexico and quickly impacting other countries worldwide, pregnant women should take particular care to avoid exposure to the virus. 

During pregnancy, there is normally some weakening of the immune system which can lead to infections being more severe. 

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) recommends obtaining information from such avenues as the Federal Government’s travel advisory website: www.smartraveller.gov.au .

‘In an event where a woman does contract the influenza, it is likely that the benefits of the anti-viral treatment (e.g. tamiflu) will outweigh any theoretical risks’, said Professor Permezel, Vice-President of RANZCOG. 

‘Animal research on tamiflu, has not led to an expectation of birth defects as a result of its use in pregnancy and use beyond the first few weeks of pregnancy is even less likely to cause harm’, said Professor Permezel today.

‘As the winter months approaches, it is timely for everyone including pregnant women, to consider vaccination against the common winter influenza.

‘The influenza vaccine does not contain live virus and there is no evidence of any damage to the fetus or adverse events in pregnancy’, said Professor Permezel.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) is dedicated to maintaining the highest possible standards in obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia and New Zealand. 

Download the full alert ( 169 KB)

For further information or to arrange an interview with Professor Permezel, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

30 March 2009

DAY 4 - LAST DAY: College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists’ 2009 Scientific Meeting in conjunction with the XX1st Asian & Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Auckland, New Zealand

Obstetrics in Obstetrics and Gynaecology… Termination of Pregnancy… Infections in Obstetrics and Gynaecology… Obstetrics and Diabetes….

These are the key topics that will be discussed on the final day of the College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ 2009 Scientific Meeting, which has been held in conjunction with the XX1st Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Auckland, New Zealand, since Friday 27 March 2009.

Today’s Key Seminar Topics for the Last Day of the Meeting:

• Obesity and Infertility - Bharati Dhorepatil
• Fetal Growth in Obese O and G Patients - Graham Parry
• Anaesthetic Risk for the Obese O and G Patient - Tim Skinner
• The Impact of Obesity on Pregnancy Outcomes - Lesley McCowan
• Medical Abortion - Is it Safer? - Pak-Chung Ho
• Contraception Following Abortion - Helen Roberts
• Termination of Pregnancy - What are the Long Term Outcomes - Jaydeep Tank
• Growth Discordancy in Twins: Diagnosis and Management - Christia Padolina
• Evaluation of Chronic Hypertension in Pregnant Young Women - Joana De Sousa
• Does Pregnancy Affect Memory and Attention? A Cross Sectional Study - Lenore Ellett
• Women and HIV Infection - Mark Thomas
• HIV and Pregnancy - Pre-Pregnancy, Pregnancy and Delivery - Lucille Wilkinson
• The Use and Abuse of Ultrasound in Developing Countries  - Chinnaiya Anadakumar

‘We have had over 1,000 health professionals from around the world attend this important meeting and listen to a wide range of presentations from local, national and international speakers on a wide area of issues on the field of women’s health generally. It has been a great success’, said Chairman of the Combined Organising Committee, Professor Peter Stone.

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For further information, media arrangements or to obtain an available abstract, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

30 March 2009

Can Pregnancy Really Affect a Woman’s Memory and Attention?

The findings of a cross sectional study investigating whether memory and attention are compromised during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy compared to a matched and control group of non pregnant women will be presented today at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting. 

‘Popular stereotypes exist of pregnant women who lack concentration or who are forgetful. Few formal prospective studies have analysed this using objective neuropsychological tests’, said Dr Lenore Ellett today.

Formal validated neuro-psychology tests were carried out on 30 women in the first trimester, 30 women in the third trimester and 30 non pregnant women. There were no significant differences in the demographics between the groups.

‘Compared to non pregnant controls, women in the third trimester performed worse in measurements of auditory memory. The mean index score for combined memory measurements was ten points lower in pregnant women compared to non pregnant controls’, said Dr Ellett.

‘Amongst this group of pregnant women IQ was found to fall into a high average subset. However, their memory scores fell into the average range. No change was found in measurements of visuospatial memory.

‘The study demonstrates that pregnant women do have poorer memory function than non pregnant women, particularly with regards to auditory memory.

‘This is important given that information given to pregnant women is usually verbal. Visual memory was not statistically different between the two groups.

‘Clinicians need to be aware that information given orally to pregnant women may not be retained as well as written information’, said Dr Ellett.

Over 900 health professionals from around the world are expected to attend the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting.  The meeting is held in conjunction with the XXIst Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOCOG 2009) in Auckland, New Zealand, at the Sky City Convention Centre from today, Thursday 26 March until Monday 30 March 2009.

Download the full release ( 266 KB)

For further information, media arrangements or to obtain an available abstract, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

29 March 2009

DAY 3: College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists’ 2009 Scientific Meeting in conjunction with the XX1st Asian & Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Auckland, New Zealand

Over 900 health professionals from around the world are expected to attend the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting which is being held in conjunction with the XXIst Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOCOG 2009) in Auckland, New Zealand.

Today’s Key Seminar Topics for Day Three of Presentations:

• Caesarean Delivery for All - The Implications? - Jenny King
• Urogynaecology in Bangladesh - Sayeba Akhtner
• Problems in the Use of HPV Test in Cervical Cancer Screening - Hextan Ngan
• Hormone Therapy in Postmenopausal Women and Risk of Endometrial Hyperplasia - An Updated Cochrane Review - Helen Roberts
• All Pelvic Pain is Endometriosis? True or False - Wayne Gillett
• Oral Misopostol as a Cervical Priming Agent Prior to First Trimester Termination of Pregnancy - Ashishkumar Shan
• Newborn Baby Metabolic Screening - ‘Babies Well into the Future’ - Dianne Webster
• A Proteomic Approach Identifies a Novel Set of Plasma Proteins to Predict Preeclampsia - Robyn North
• The Challenges and Changing Trend in Managing Girls With Ovarian Torsion - Nur Azurah Abdul Ghani
• Prevalence of Depressive Disorders in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Sudhindra Mohan Bhattacharya

Event Details:

What: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting in conjunction with the XX1st Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

When: Thursday 26 March - Monday 30 March 2009

Where: Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland, New Zealand

Download the full alert ( 238 KB)

For further information, media arrangements or to obtain an available abstract, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

28 March 2009

DAY 2: College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists’ 2009 Scientific Meeting in conjunction with the XX1st Asian & Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Auckland, New Zealand

Over 900 health professionals from around the world are expected to attend the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting which is being held in conjunction with the XXIst Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOCOG 2009) in Auckland, New Zealand.

Today’s Key Seminar Topics for Day Two of Presentations:

• Biological Roles of Estrogen and Progesterone in Gynaecological Cancer - Kiyoshi Ito
• Testing for HPV: Should We Do It? - CN Purandare
• Rural Obstetrics and Gynaecology Same Problems, Different Solutions  - Pieter Mourik
• O and G: The Flying Doctor Service - Alison Shearer
• Role of Acupuncture in Reproductive Medicine - Ernest Ng
• The Prevalence and Implications of Overweight & Obesity In a Rural Australian Obstetric Population - Glyn Teale
• Membrane Sweeping at Term in Women with PreviousCaesarean Section: A Randomised Controlled Trial - Mukhri Hamdan

• Developments in Genetics - What’s New for O and G? - Andrew Shelling
• What Impact is Delayed Childbearing Having On Women’s Health in Early Pregnancy? - Deidre Gartland

• Controversies in the Management of Multiple Pregnancies  - Nicholas Fisk, Australia (International Keynote Speaker)

• In Vitro Maturation - What is it About? - Tim Child, United Kingdom (International Keynote Speaker)

• Infertility: Are lifestyle Factors Responsible for an Epidemic of Infertility? - Tim Child; Siladitya Bhattacharya, United Kingdom, (International Keynote speaker) & Kelton Tremellen

Event Details:

What: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting in conjunction with the XX1st Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

When: Thursday 26 March - Monday 30 March 2009

Where: Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland, New Zealand

Download the full alert ( 229 KB)

For further information, media arrangements or to obtain an available abstract, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

28 March 2009

Acupuncture: Plays a role in Reproductive Medicine

The role of acupuncture in reproductive medicine will be a key topic of discussion at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting.  The meeting is held in conjunction with the XXIst Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOCOG 2009) in Auckland, New Zealand, at the Sky City Convention Centre from today, Thursday 26 March until Monday 30 March 2009.

Dr Ernest Ng from the University of Hong Kong, will be presenting a lecture at the meeting on the role acupuncture plays in the management of subfertility problems.

‘The positive effect of acupuncture in the treatment of subfertility may be related to the central sympathetic inhibition by the endorphin system, the change in uterine blood flow and motility, and stress reduction. However, the effectiveness of acupuncture for the management of subfertility still remains elusive and controversial’, said Dr Ng today.

‘Acupuncture may restore ovulation among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, but there is not a sufficient number of randomised studies to validate this. Evidence supporting the role of acupuncture in male subfertility is also insufficient, since most of the studies are uncontrolled case reports or case series in which the sample sizes were small.

‘Acupuncture can be considered as an alternative for pain relief during oocyte pickup in patients who cannot tolerate the conventional conscious sedation because of its associated adverse effects. The pregnancy rate of in vitro fertilisation is significantly increased when acupuncture is administered on the day of embryo transfer’, according to Dr Ng.

Acupuncture is an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine, which dates back about 3000 years. Its use has gained increasing popularity in the Western world and the indications for acupuncture are expanding.

Attracting obstetricians, gynaecologists, medical trainees, GP-obstetricians, midwives and other health professionals from across Australia, New Zealand, London, America, Switzerland and Thailand, the meeting will showcase over four days of presentations from overseas and interstate presenters, who provide current thinking on all the main areas of obstetrics and gynaecology. 

Over 900 health professionals from around the world are expected to attend the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting.

Download the full release ( 277 KB)

For further information, media arrangements or to obtain an available abstract, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

27 March 2009

DAY 1: College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists’ 2009 Scientific Meeting in conjunction with the XX1st Asian & Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Auckland, New Zealand

Over 900 health professionals from around the world are expected to attend the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting which is being be held in conjunction with the XXIst Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOCOG 2009) in Auckland, New Zealand.

Today’s Key Seminar Topics for Day One of Presentations:

• Global Reproductive Health - What are the challenges? - David Grimes, United States of America (International Keynote Speaker)
• Smoking Cessation in Pregnancy - Chris Bullen

• Robots & Women: Do They Mix? - Suresh Nair
• Rapid Tests on Chlamydia - Helen Lee
• The Pacific Needs to Improve the Delivery of Women’s Health - Rajat Gyaneshwar
• Female Sexual Dysfunction: Facts and Factors Among Gynae Outpatients - Muna Shalima Jahan

• N-acetyl Cysteine (NAC): A Possible Novel Treatment for Recurrent Unexplained Pregnancy Loss - Omar Shaaban

• Sexual Practices, Knowledge and Usage of Contraceptives Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Sri Lanka - Rasika Herath

• Sexual Health in Gynaecology - HPV, Genital Warts and How to Tackle those Difficult Questions - Min Lo

• Action on Evidence - The Reproductive Health Library  - Metin Gülmezoglu, Switzerland (International Keynote Speaker)

• Sea-Orchid Project: Optimising Reproductive and Child Health - Pisake Lumbiganon, Thailand (International Keynote Speaker)

Event Details:

What: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting in conjunction with the XX1st Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

When: Thursday 26 March - Monday 30 March 2009

Where: Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland, New Zealand

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For further information, media arrangements or to obtain an available abstract, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

27 March 2009

Over Half a Million Women Die From Pregnancy & Childbirth Each Year in Asia and Africa

“Each year, more than half a million women die from pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these deaths occur in Asia and Africa and most are entirely preventable”, according to Professor David Grimes, one of the international keynote speakers presenting a lecture on the challenges of global reproductive health at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting.  The meeting is held in conjunction with the XXIst Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOCOG 2009) in Auckland, New Zealand, at the Sky City Convention Centre from today, Thursday 26 March until Monday 30 March 2009.

“In a typical developing nation, the lifetime risk of maternal death is one in 263; 30 per cent of women use modern contraception; 63 per cent of births are attended by trained personnel and the adult female literacy rate is 61 per cent”, said Professor Grimes today.

“The leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths are post-partum hemorrhage, sepsis, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, obstructed labor and unsafe abortion. For every death, ‘near misses’ are five to 100 times more common and many women are left disabled for life. Simple measures such as emergency transportation to a district hospital can be life-saving”, said Professor Grimes.

In his lecture, Professor Grimes will discuss the remedies for pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality, which include equitable distribution of assets, decent living conditions and nutrition, education, access to family planning methods and safe birth environments.

Professor David Grimes is one of a small number of U.S. physicians Board certified in both obstetrics and gynaecology and in preventive medicine.  He has had a dual career in clinical obstetrics and gynaecology and in preventive medicine for the past three decades.

Over 900 health professionals from around the world are expected to attend the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting.

Attracting obstetricians, gynaecologists, medical trainees, GP-obstetricians, midwives and other health professionals from across Australia, New Zealand, London, America, Switzerland and Thailand, the meeting will showcase over four days of presentations from overseas and interstate presenters, who provide current thinking on all the main areas of obstetrics and gynaecology. 

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For further information, media arrangements or to obtain an available abstract, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

27 March 2009

Robots and the Gynaecological Patient - Do They Really Mix?

Would women in the future really feel comfortable having a hysterectomy or a total pelvic floor repair done by not a specialist doctor but by a robot? 

‘Robots and women mix very well and in fact are compatible for cohabitation as so elegantly declared by Issac Asimov in his science fiction short stories Robbie and Feminine Intuition’, said Dr Suresh Nair, who is presenting a lecture on the use of robots in gynaecological procedures, at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting.  The meeting is held in conjunction with the XXIst Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOCOG 2009) in Auckland, New Zealand, at the Sky City Convention Centre from today, Thursday 26 March until Monday 30 March 2009.

‘In the da Vinci ‘robot-assisted’ laparoscopic surgical system, the surgeon is, for the first time in the history of surgery, seated comfortably remote from the patient, at a console with his hand resting upon the visual system comprising a binocular device for three dimensional vision’, according to Dr Nair.

‘Furthermore, the surgeon has telemanipulators that can be controlled by both his hands with fine finger and wrist movements that can remotely produce intuitive movements of ‘robotic’ laparoscopic instruments passed into the abdomen through trocars allowing seven degrees of freedom of movement.

‘This restores the full dexterity of the human hand and removes the need for counterintuitive movements that hinders technically demanding surgery such as suturing in conventional laparoscopic surgery. This quantum leap has allowed surgeon to perform gynaecological procedures in women such as, myomectomy, tubal reanastomosis, radical hysterectomy, total pelvic floor repair’, said Dr Nair.

Over 900 health professionals from around the world are expected to attend the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting.

Attracting obstetricians, gynaecologists, medical trainees, GP-obstetricians, midwives and other health professionals from across Australia, New Zealand, London, America, Switzerland and Thailand, the meeting will showcase over four days of presentations from overseas and interstate presenters, who provide current thinking on all the main areas of obstetrics and gynaecology. 

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For further information, media arrangements or to obtain an available abstract, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

26 March 2009

900 Health Professionals Expected to Attend Conference Hosted by College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Over 900 health professionals from around the world are expected to attend the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting which will be held in conjunction with the XXIst Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOCOG 2009) in Auckland, New Zealand, at the Sky City Convention Centre from today, Thursday 26 March until Monday 30 March 2009.

‘The Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the RANZCOG have prepared an interactive program featuring world class speakers and a host of vibrant speakers from the Asia and Oceania region designed to stimulate thinking around the theme of Women Well into the Future’, said Chairman of the Combined Organising Committee, Professor Peter Stone.

Attracting obstetricians, gynaecologists, medical trainees, GP-obstetricians, midwives and other health professionals from across Australia, New Zealand, London, America, Switzerland and Thailand, the meeting will showcase over four days of presentations from overseas and interstate presenters, who provide current thinking on all the main areas of obstetrics and gynaecology. 

Keynote speakers at the conference:

• Professor Siladitya Bhattacharya, United Kingdom
• Mr Tim Child, United Kingdom
• Professor Christopher B-Lynch, United Kingdom
• Professor Nicholas Fisk, Australia
• Professor David Grimes, United States of America
• Dr Metin Gülmezoglu, Switzerland
• Professor Pisake Lumbiganon, Thailand

Key seminar topics:

• Smoking Cessation in Pregnancy - Chris Bullen
• Robots & Women: Do They Mix? - Suresh Nair
• Testing for HPV: Should We Do It? - CN Purandare
• Developments in Genetics - What’s New for O and G? - Andrew Shelling
• Controversies in the Management of Multiple Pregnancies - Nicholas Fisk
• Role of Acupuncture in Reproductive Medicine - Ernest Ng
• In Vitro Maturation - What Is It About? - Tim Child
• Caesarean Delivery For All - The implications? - Jenny King
• All Pelvic Pain is Endometriosis? True or False - Wayne Gillett
• The Impact of Obesity on Pregnancy Outcomes - Lesley McCowan
• Contraception Following Abortion - Helen Roberts
• What Impact is Delayed Childbearing Having On Women’s Health in Early Pregnancy? - Deidre Gartland
• The Prevalence and Implications of Overweight & Obesity In a Rural Australian Obstetric Population - Glyn Teale
• Does Pregnancy Affect Memory & Attention? A Cross Sectional Study - Lenore Ellett

For a copy of the meeting program visit: www.aocogranzcog2009.co.nz

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For further information, media arrangements or to obtain an available abstract, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

16 March 2009

College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists’ 2009 Scientific Meeting in Conjunction with the XX1st Asian & Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 26 - 30 March 2009, Auckland, New Zealand

Over 900 health professionals from around the world are expected to attend the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting which will be held in conjunction with the XXIst Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOCOG 2009) in Auckland, New Zealand from 26 - 30 March 2009.

Attracting obstetricians, gynaecologists, medical trainees, GP-obstetricians, midwives and other health professionals from across Australia, New Zealand, London, America, Switzerland and Thailand, the meeting will showcase over four days of presentations from overseas and interstate presenters, who provide current thinking on all the main areas of obstetrics and gynaecology.

Keynote speakers at the conference:

• Professor Siladitya Bhattacharya, United Kingdom
• Mr Tim Child, United Kingdom
• Professor Christopher B-Lynch, United Kingdom
• Professor Nicholas Fisk, Australia
• Professor David Grimes, United States of America
• Dr Metin Gülmezoglu, Switzerland
• Professor Pisake Lumbiganon, Thailand

Key seminar topics:

• Smoking Cessation in Pregnancy - Chris Bullen
• Robots & Women: Do They Mix? - Suresh Nair
• Testing for HPV: Should We Do It? - CN Purandare
• Developments in Genetics - What’s New for O and G? - Andrew Shelling
• Controversies in the Management of Multiple Pregnancies - Nicholas Fisk
• Role of Acupuncture in Reproductive Medicine - Ernest Ng
• In Vitro Maturation - What Is It About? - Tim Child
• Caesarean Delivery For All - The implications? - Jenny King
• All Pelvic Pain is Endometriosis? True or False - Wayne Gillett
• The Impact of Obesity on Pregnancy Outcomes - Lesley McCowan
• Contraception Following Abortion - Helen Roberts
• What Impact is Delayed Childbearing Having On Women’s Health in Early Pregnancy? - Deidre Gartland
• The Prevalence and Implications of Overweight & Obesity In a Rural Australian Obstetric Population - Glyn Teale
• Does Pregnancy Affect Memory & Attention? A Cross Sectional Study - Lenore Ellett

For a copy of the meeting program visit: www.aocogranzcog2009.co.nz

Event Details:

What: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting in conjunction with the XX1st Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

When: Thursday 26 March - Monday 30 March 2009

Where: Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland, New Zealand

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For further information, media arrangements or to obtain an available abstract, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

13 March 2009

College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Responds to the Release of the PMMRC Report

The New Zealand Committee of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) has today welcomed the release of the PMMRC Report covering the period 1 July – 31 December 2006, for perinatal deaths and the whole of 2006 for maternal deaths.

‘We believe the Report is the beginning of a long-term strategy of gathering and analysing data about maternity services that is long overdue,’ said Dr Gillian Gibson, Chair of the New Zealand Committee of RANZCOG.

‘However the data only covers just below 30,000 births over a six month period in 2006. We feel that this sample size is inadequate to make valid international comparisons and highlights the lack of data collection that has occurred in the past.

‘We urge the Ministry to publish a larger and more up to date dataset,’ said Dr Gibson today.

‘The Maternal mortality statistic is a concern to the College and we welcome the PMMRC's recommendations on how to address this very important issue.

‘The College will be examining the report in detail, and are keen to work with the Ministry and other professional bodies to improve the outcomes for women and babies,’ said Dr Gibson.

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View the PMMRC Report ( 1 MB)

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

23 February 2009 

Safety is the Key Focus of Any Changes to Maternity Services in Australia

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) today officially welcomed the Federal Government’s maternity services review report released today.

‘We are at a pivotal and exciting time in the delivery of maternity care with the Federal Government’s commitment to review and improve maternity services in this county.  We now hope that as a result of the review, there will be lasting improvements made to the provision of safe, multi-disciplinary care, improved choices for women in choosing particular models of care and better training of the maternity workforce,’ said RANZCOG President, Dr Ted Weaver.

‘It is vital that any reforms to the way maternity services are provided in Australia are able to be carefully evaluated to ensure that they do not have any adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes for mothers and babies.

‘The College is very pleased that the first recommendation from the report highlights the need for consistent national data collection for perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality.

‘We congratulate the Federal Government and in particular Health Minister Nicola Roxon, for their commitment to reviewing and improving this essential service so that every mother and new-born, no matter where they live, receives the best possible care.

‘Today Australia is one of the safest countries in which to give birth or be born and the Review highlights this. Generally, Australian women and their babies enjoy a system of high quality maternity care, though there are inequities in accessing care, and the College is supportive of the initiatives outlined for the care of remote and rural, and particularly, our indigenous women.

‘The high standards of professional care provided by obstetricians working in both the public and private system, is a major contributor to our current enviable safety record.  Without the provision of obstetric care provided by obstetricians working collaboratively with other health professionals in both private and public practice, Australia would not be the safe place that it is now for pregnancy and birth,’ said Dr Weaver today.

‘It is essential that all health workers providing maternity health services, work together to provide the best outcomes for mothers and babies. Trust and cooperation between all those involved in maternity care is vital to the provision of safe maternity care.

‘We would argue that women do need the care of an obstetrician, working in cooperation with other maternity service providers in a multidisciplinary team to provide the maximum choice and the best possible care. Fortunately, most obstetricians are very committed to working collaboratively with the other key caregivers in maternity services to ensure a high level of care that is safe, women-centred and culturally appropriate.’

‘We also need to urgently consider changes to work practices in maternity care to address Australia’s low breastfeeding rates, high rate of postnatal depression and the general care of women postnatally,’ said Dr Weaver.

The College applauds the initiative in the review that the National Health and Medical Research Council develop national multi-disciplinary guidelines for maternity care, and looks forward to working with other groups in this important area.

View the RANZCOG Submission to the Federal Government ( 1.7MB)

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Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

16 February 2009

College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Strongly Supports Study on Private Maternity Care

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) has today welcomed a study of almost 800,000 recent births in Australia, the first large study that has looked at the health of mothers and babies during birth and compared the outcome of births managed directly by specialist obstetricians in private hospitals, to those conducted in public hospitals.

‘These are significant findings which have come out of the study that should give women confidence in obstetric care. There are opportunities now for the public sector to learn from the private sector to try to improve further Australia’s already world class birth outcomes, said RANZCOG President, Dr Ted Weaver.

‘Obstetrician-led care appears to confer significant benefit to a mother and her baby with the study showing that the risks of a term baby dying or being severely ill at the time of birth are HALVED, when a term baby is delivered under the care of a specialist obstetrician, compared with the other models of maternity care.

‘We acknowledge the rates of various interventions, such as caesarean section, are higher with obstetrician-led care, but this brings benefits. There is an orthodoxy promoted in the community that high intervention rates are possibly harmful for mothers, yet this study suggests they may confer benefit.  It is not surprising that when the most highly-trained and experienced person manages a woman in labour, the outcomes are the best.

‘This study also addresses the importance of team work.  We need doctors at the helm supervising, teaching and working collaboratively with midwives, who are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team involved in caring for women having babies.

‘Private obstetrics is obstetrician-led, but it is crucially underpinned by a well-working, well trained team, that regularly reviews outcomes of care.  The College supports the important conclusion reached in the study, that when a labour and birth are managed by a specialist obstetrician, there are markedly improved outcomes for mother and baby.

‘Women and their families should demand that obstetricians have a pivotal role in maternity care in this country, across all models of care.  The College supports further research in this area, to identify areas where improvements can be made in maternity care to ensure best possible pregnancy outcomes for all Australian women and their families,’ said Dr Weaver.

About the study

• A research team led by Associate Professor Steve Robson, from the Australian National University,  compared births managed directly by specialist obstetricians in private hospitals, and compared them to those conducted in public hospitals (where babies are delivered by midwives, trainees, with indirect oversight by specialist obstetricians).
• It found that women who had their babies in public hospitals had more than twice the risk of a serious pelvic floor injury.
• It also found that babies delivered by specialist obstetricians in private hospitals had a risk of dying or being seriously ill at birth that was half that of babies born in public hospitals.

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Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

24 November 2008

RANZCOG Farewells First Female President and Welcomes First Rural Specialist as New College President

Dr Christine Tippett, the first female President of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) officially handed her presidency to Queensland Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Ted Weaver, at the College’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Melbourne on the weekend.

‘I feel honoured and proud to have been elected as President of RANZCOG for the next two years, being only the second Queenslander and first Provincial Fellow to attain the office’, said Dr Weaver.

Dr Tippett officially completed her two-year term as President at the AGM and commended Dr Weaver to the entire membership. Dr Weaver acknowledged the contribution Dr Tippett made during her time on Council and, most particularly, over the past two years as President.

‘Christine Tippett has been an effective and passionate advocate for women during her tenure as RANZCOG President. She has achieved a lot in difficult policy areas such as appropriate assessment of overseas trained doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology; abortion law reform in Victoria; and safe pregnancy care for rural and remote women in Australia and New Zealand.

‘Perhaps most significantly, she was responsible for convening an overwhelmingly successful meeting on Indigenous women’s health in Darwin in August 2008, which could potentially be a catalyst for the development of new programs to improve pregnancy outcomes in Indigenous women’, said Dr Weaver.

Currently working in private and public practice in obstetrics and gynaecology at Nambour on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, for the past two years Dr Ted Weaver has played an active role in the College as one of RANZCOG’s Vice Presidents and as Chairman of the RANZCOG Women’s Health Committee (2006-2008). 

‘It is my intention to maintain and develop the College’s role in training the obstetricians and gynaecologists of the future and to promote excellent standards of women’s health care in Australia and New Zealand. 

‘It is important that the College works collaboratively with governments and other providers of women’s health care, to develop and refine safe systems of care that are female-centred, deliver best practice outcomes to all women and their families and are adequately funded’, said Dr Weaver. 

Since 1988, Dr Ted Weaver has been effectively engaged in College activities. He was a Member of the Queensland State Committee until 1989 and then became a Member of the College Council in 2000. Since then, he has taken the role of Chairman on a number of Committees including the Continuing Professional Development Committee (2002-2006); the Joint Committee on Maternity Services (2002-2006); and the Organising Committee of the RANZCOG 2007 Gold Coast Annual Scientific Meeting (October 2007).

Dr Weaver is the current Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at Nambour Selangor Private Hospital and was the Inaugural Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Nambour General Hospital from 1987 until 1990. In 2001, Dr Weaver was granted an Honorary Fellowship of the Australian College of Midwives.

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Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

10 September 2008

College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists Welcomes Government’s Initiative on Maternity Services in Australia

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) has officially welcomed the Federal Government’s initiative to review maternity services in Australia.

‘Today Australia is one of the safest countries in which to give birth and for some time has recorded lower maternal and perinatal mortality rates than similar countries’, said RANZCOG President, Dr Christine Tippett today.

‘It is crucial that any reforms to the delivery of maternity services are carefully evaluated to ensure that they do not have an adverse effect on mothers and babies in Australia.

‘It is essential that all health workers providing maternity health services, work together to provide the best outcomes for mothers and babies. Trust and cooperation between all those involved in maternity care is vital to the provision of safe maternity care.

‘It is timely that issues of funding, access and the effective use of the maternity workforce be addressed’, said Dr Tippett.

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Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

25 August 2008

College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Supports the Decriminalisation of Abortion in Victoria

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) today officially announced its support for the Victorian Government’s initiative to introduce new legislation to modernise the law by decriminalising abortion.

‘When the Victorian Government indicated that they intended to review the law pertaining to abortion, they indicated that any change should reflect current practice.  RANZCOG is of the view that the draft legislation does reflect current practice,’ said RANZCOG President, Dr Christine Tippett today.

‘There is no indication that there is an unmet need for abortion services in the state of Victoria and the legislation as proposed will not increase the number of abortions performed in Victoria.

‘The provision of safe lawful abortion services is an essential component of women’s health services.

‘The draft legislation reflects the importance of recognising that Victorian women should have access to safe and high quality services.  It is about protecting both the women and their doctors, without the fear of prosecution or persecution’, said Dr Tippett.

RANZCOG Statement: Termination of Pregnancy (Statement No. C-Gyn 17) can be viewed on the College website:  www.ranzcog.edu.au/publications/statements/C-gyn17.pdf

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Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

14 August 2008

Australian Indigenous Women's Health Meeting Darwin, 14-16 August 2008

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) convened the RANZCOG Australian Indigenous Women's Health Meeting at the Darwin Convention Centre, in the Northern Territory.

Attracting over 300 delegates, the aim of the meeting was to bring together health professionals across Australia with the common interest and desire to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.  The meeting had a diverse program of presentations covering cultural issues, current public health information, clinical topics and medico-political opinions.

Officially opening the meeting on 14 August, was Northern Territory Minister for Health, Dr Chris Burns and RANZCOG President, Dr Christine Tippett.  Northern Territory Minister for Family and Community Services, Marion Scrymgour delivered the opening address.

Key presentations throughout the three day event included:

• Substance abuse in pregnancy - Paddy Moore
• An overview of Indigenous fertility - Kim Johnstone
• Alcohol in pregnancy - Caroline de Costa
• Indigenous women birthing stories - Terry Dunbar
• Teenage pregnancy outcomes and how to improve them - Julie Quinlivan
• Postnatal depression in Torres Strait Islander women - Loyla Leysley
• Improving cervical screening with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander women - Marilyn Clarke & Jenny Reath

View the meeting website: www.ranzcog.edu.au/meetingsconferences/iwh.shtml

Event Details:

What: RANZCOG 2008 Australian Indigenous Women's Health Meeting

When: Thursday 14 August – Saturday 16 August 2008

Where: Darwin Convention Centre, Northern Territory

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

5 August 2008

Australian Indigenous Women's Health Meeting Darwin, 14-16 August 2008

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) will be convening the RANZCOG Australian Indigenous Women’s Health Meeting at the Darwin Convention Centre, in the Northern Territory, from Thursday 14 August until Saturday 16 August 2008.

Attracting over 300 delegates, the aim of this meeting is to bring together health professionals across Australia with the common interest and desire to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.  The meeting will have a diverse program of presentations covering cultural issues, current public health information, clinical topics and medico-political opinions.

Officially opening the meeting on 14 August, will be Northern Territory Minister for Health, Dr Chris Burns and RANZCOG President, Dr Christine Tippett.  Northern Territory Minister for Family and Community Services, Marion Scrymgour will deliver the opening address.

Key presentations throughout the three day event include:

• Substance abuse in pregnancy
  Paddy Moore
• An overview of Indigenous fertility
  Kim Johnstone
• Smoking in pregnancy
  Sandra Eades
• Alcohol in pregnancy
  Caroline de Costa
• Indigenous women birthing stories
  Terry Dunbar
• Teenage pregnancy outcomes and how to improve them
  Julie Quinlivan
• Postnatal depression in Torres Strait Islander women
  Loyla Leysley
• Improving cervical screening with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander women
  Marilyn Clarke & Jenny Reath

View the meeting website: www.ranzcog.edu.au/meetingsconferences/iwh.shtml

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Event Details:

What: RANZCOG 2008 Australian Indigenous Women's Health Meeting

When: Thursday 14 August – Saturday 16 August 2008

Where: Darwin Convention Centre, Northern Territory

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Julia Serafin; Marketing, Media & Communications Senior Coordinator, RANZCOG

© RANZCOG