Advocacy and engagement

RANZCOG advocates for women’s health professionals and the patients they care for by working with governing bodies to make meaningful policy change towards equitable access to women’s health services across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.


LATEST ADVOCACY NEWS

Advocacy 17 March 2023
Cultural diversity enriches us
To celebrate Cultural Diversity Week, we spoke to Fellow Dr…
Advocacy 17 March 2023
Shared celebration and awareness
To celebrate Cultural Diversity Week, we spoke to Keshala De…
Advocacy 15 March 2023
Diversity helps me learn from others
To celebrate Cultural Diversity Week, we spoke to Gagan Cheema,…
Advocacy 28 February 2023
‘Let’s speak up and push for change’
Nisha Khot reflects on the fun that is Mardi Gras,…
Advocacy 27 February 2023
President’s Blog – February 2023
RANZCOG President Dr Benjamin Bopp provides an update on College…
Advocacy 27 February 2023
Pride in Medicine
RANZCOG is proud to be one 14 medical colleges who…
Advocacy 17 February 2023
AIDA and RANZCOG sign Memorandum of Understanding
The Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) and RANZCOG have signed…
Advocacy 1 March 2023
‘Embrace Equity’ event to mark International Women’s Day 2023
RANZCOG will host members and staff on Monday 6 March…
Advocacy 10 February 2023
Flourish: Women+ Health Summit
A Women’s Health Strategy for New Zealand must take a…
Advocacy 30 January 2023
President’s Blog – January 2023
RANZCOG President Dr Benjamin Bopp provides an update on College…
Advocacy 9 December 2022
Statement on mid-urethral slings
RANZCOG supports the use of mid-urethral slings.
Advocacy 8 December 2022
RANZCOG | ACM – Joint statement on birth partners
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and…
Advocacy 7 December 2022
Statement on PMMRC report
Aotearoa New Zealand’s new health system provides a critical opportunity…
Advocacy 28 November 2022
President’s Blog – November 2022
RANZCOG President Dr Benjamin Bopp provides an update on College…
Advocacy 21 November 2022
Statement on inclusive language
RANZCOG aims to provide an inclusive and welcoming space to…
Advocacy 31 October 2022
President’s Blog – October 2022
RANZCOG President Dr Benjamin Bopp provides an update on College…

ADVOCACY IN AUSTRALIA

In Australia, RANZCOG makes submissions throughout each year on a variety of women’s health policy issues, supporting over 7,500 members to provide equitable women’s health care.

How we advocate

As the peak body for women’s health in Australia, RANZCOG advocates on behalf of our membership, to improve equitable access to health care, develop tailored strategic policy frameworks and timely outcomes to pressing issues facing women, their families, as well as our members.

RANZCOG consults with our Committees and members who have specific expertise on the consultation topics. Their feedback is reviewed, collated and drafted as a submission.

The submissions are reviewed and approved by the President and CEO prior to being submitted to the consultative entities. The Australian submissions and consultations process is managed by the Executive Office & Advocacy.

ADVOCACY IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

RANZCOG makes submissions each year on behalf of our Aotearoa New Zealand members and the wāhine they work with.

We are committed to equity of health outcomes for all wāhine and their pēpi.

How we advocate

We advocate for excellence and equity in hauora wāhine by engaging with health sector stakeholders, including through submissions and representation, collaboration in policy development and advice on clinical matters.

Pae ora for all wāhine and pēpi

Read about our mahi in hauora wāhine Māori on the Aotearoa New Zealand page.

Key submissions

Each year the College makes submissions on behalf of members, wāhine and pēpi in Aotearoa New Zealand. We thank the members who contribute so much of their time and expertise to each submission. Key submissions made in the past year are highlighted below.

Submission titleDate
Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and other Matters) Amendment BillFebruary 2022
Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) BillDecember 2021
National Contraception GuidelinesNovember 2021
Ministry of Health Primary Maternity Services Notice Review 2021October 2021
National Sepsis Action PlanOctober 2021
Ministry of Health Mesh credentialling frameworkJune 2021
Health Select Committee: Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment BillJune 2021
Ministry of Health LARC Training Principles and StandardsMay 2021
Ministry of Health revised HPV primary screening clinical pathwayMarch 2021
Standards New Zealand Health and disability services standardMarch 2021
Medical Council of New Zealand statement on a doctor’s duty to help in a medical emergencyJanuary 2021

Engagement

Te Kāhui Oranga ō Nuku engages and collaborates regularly with key health stakeholders.

The mahi of Te Kāhui Oranga ō Nuku, He Hono Wāhine and other advocates for women’s health in Aotearoa New Zealand have seen positive outcomes achieved for wāhine including:

Government commitment to a women’s health strategy in the Pae Ora legislation

HPV screening and self-testing beginning in 2023

Folic acid fortification of bread will be achieved through supplementation of non-organic bread-making wheat flour

New sector guidelines completed on contraception

RANZCOG and the New Zealand College of Midwives collaborated with the Ministry of Health and the Immunisation Advisory Centre to provide consistent and clear advice on COVID-19 and pregnancy 

Previous advocacy work

Each year the advocacy work of the College is outlined in our Annual Report.


Contact

Get in touch with the advocacy team in your country:

Australia: advocacy@ranzcog.edu.au
Aotearoa New Zealand: ranzcog@ranzcog.org.nz

board-members 15 August 2022

Gender Equity and Diversity Working Group

The Gender Equity and Diversity Working Group (GEDWG) works to improve gender equity, inclusion and diversity within our College.


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