Fostering Respect

RANZCOG supports the cultivation of respectful O&G workplaces and training environments, free from bullying, harassment and discrimination.

Read our Action Plan Confidential Support

About

It is in everyone’s interest to foster a culture of respect in medical workplaces: teams perform better, individuals are empowered to do their best work and risks to patient safety are reduced. This stance aligns with our values of kindness, integrity and respect.

The College’s Fostering Respect Action Plan 2022 – 2026 outlined how the College would implement the 24 recommendations of the independent Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Advisory Working Group. Further details can be found in the 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 progress reports.

The 2022-26 action plan is now complete. RANZCOG will evaluate how effectively it implemented the Advisory Working Group’s recommendations to inform the creation of its next action plan.

Workplace Behaviours and Safety Surveys

In June 2026, RANZCOG surveyed members and trainees on the prevalence of discrimination, racism, bullying, sexual harassment and harassment (DBSH) in O&G workplaces, as well as safety and culture more broadly.

The College contracted BPA Analytics to conduct the 2026 survey. Results are now available.

BPA Analytics also ran the College’s 2021 and 2023 surveys. All BPA Analytics surveys were confidential and anonymous; RANZCOG received only de-identified, aggregated data. Please view BPA’s Privacy and Confidentiality Policy.

Information on how the College deals with DBSH is available in its Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy and Resource Guide.

Confidential Support

We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our members and trainees.

If you have encountered discrimination, bullying or harassment in your workplace, we encourage you to seek confidential support.

Member and Trainee Wellbeing

Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Advisory Working Group

In 2021 RANZCOG convened the independent BHD Advisory Working Group to inform our work in preventing mistreatment in O&G. The working group made 24 recommendations to the College Board, which the Board accepted.

Read more in the advisory group’s final report. The College created the Fostering Respect Action Plan 2022 – 2026 to implement the recommendations.

Background

The BHD Advisory Working Group provided recommendations to the Board on how RANZCOG could support and advocate for the prevention of mistreatment in O&G.

In preparing their report, the Advisory Working Group drew on the following research and consultation:

2021 RANZCOG Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Survey
Submissions from RANZCOG Members and Trainees
Consultation with College Committees

Members

There were six members of the BHD Advisory Working Group:

Jane Bell, Chair (Australia)
Dr Helen Szoke AO, Deputy Chair (Australia)
Ria Earp (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Prof Maxine Morand (Australia)
Prof Ron Paterson ONZM (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Michael Gorton AM (Australia)

Contact us

For further information on Fostering Respect, please contact:

Carly Moorfield, Member and Trainee Support Lead
Email: mtsu@ranzcog.edu.au

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Djeembana, 1 Bowen Crescent
Naarm (Melbourne) VIC 3004 Australia

+61 3 9417 1699

ranzcog@ranzcog.edu.au

RANZCOG acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters and communities across Australia, on which our members live and work, and to their Elders, past, present and future. RANZCOG recognises the special status of Māori as tangata whenua in Aotearoa New Zealand and is committed to meeting its obligations as Te Tiriti o Waitangi partners.

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