The Orange Health Service hosted a RANZCOG Obstetrics and Gynaecology Education and Training (OGET) program workshop at the region’s hospital on Monday 9 October 2023.

The workshop was part of the NSW OGET training hub, led by RANZCOG and funded by the Commonwealth government across six other hubs across Australia to help upskill and educate health professionals who play a key role in the delivery of rural, regional and remote maternal health services. The multi-disciplinary training session with nursing, junior and senior registrar attendees focussed on Shoulder Dystocia – assisting delivery of a baby when a shoulder gets stuck behind the pubic bone of the mother and if not delivered promptly, can eventuate in an adverse outcome for both the baby and mother. The workshop gave the opportunity for participants to practice the manoeuvres necessary to deliver the baby safely on a pelvic model that was attained with OGET funding.

Dr Miguel Marquez, a Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Orange Health Services leads on the delivery of the OGET NSW hub coordinated from Orange Health Services, and supporting the rural NSW health services of Cowra, Forbes, Parkes and Mudgee. Speaking about the OGET program, Dr Marquez said: “I believe this program helps communication, collegiality amongst different health professions dealing with maternal health. I have noted that these sessions have created a forum for communication amongst the different roles and an understanding of how we as a team or department can improve the services that we provide.”

Dr Marquez added: “OGET has given the opportunity for everyone to give their views on complex women’s health situations that we see working in rural and remote NSW in a safe environment and through group discussion, use this as self-reflection into how we, as individuals and as part of a multi-disciplinary team can improve. It has also created opportunities for staff working in remote hospitals to feel supported by large health centres. The rural health workforce is limited, and the lack of staff has meant that being able to leave town to get further training or get continuing professional development is difficult, without having the services affected. Being able to have these sessions in theses rural communities has made this easier. Each session is tailored to the needs of each centre.”

To find out more about that the regular RANZCOG multi-disciplinary OGET program that provides onsite and outreach training to rural and health professionals, including those in Cowra, Forbes, Parkes and Mudgee NSW., please email oget@ranzcog.edu.au.