It has been a very busy month that included a “hybrid holiday” combining a long postponed overseas trip catching up with friends and networking internationally for RANZCOG. This was followed by another visit to New Zealand for the 2022 Aotearoa Annual Scientific Meeting in Christchurch which coincided with our monthly board meeting and an award ceremony for new Fellows and those who have made extraordinary contributions to Women’s Health. Congratulations to all and thank you to the ASM Organising Committee for an informative and enjoyable event!

Zurich, Madrid and London were all quite hot and COVID mask-free. Singapore and New Zealand are still taking precautions.

In London I spent a morning at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists office in discussion with their President Elect Dr Ranee Thakar and in Singapore had two meetings, the first with Dr Lim Min Yu and Associate Professor Tan Lay Kok, respectively President of the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Singapore and College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Singapore, then with Associate Professor Mahesh Choolani from National University Hospital Singapore and his RANZCOG-affiliated research team.

It certainly appears we are all facing quite similar challenges internationally and we have agreed to cooperate on as many issues as possible and share resources and initiatives – initially via joint education webinars.

Last week (W/C 22 August), I returned from Sydney having had two days of commitment, with our CEO Vase Jovanoska, to the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges which meets face-to-face quarterly to discuss issues confronting all medical colleges. It was also a pleasure to meet the NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard and discuss areas for cooperation – particularly in relation to workplace and workforce matters.

This week I will be heading to Samoa for the Pacific Society for Reproductive Health 14th Biennial Conference to outline RANZCOG activities in the Pacific and network with our Pacific colleagues.

Until next time,

Ben