In her latest blog, Dr Wright shares highlights on the College’s focus on supporting safe maternity care, our O&G Surgical Skills Project progress and recent global activities
I hope you all manage to get a break over the summer. Meanwhile, there’s a lot to update you on!
As I meet with our amazing members and fellows around the UK and globally, including in hospitals under the spotlight, I am incredibly proud. I can testify that every single one of you I have spoken to is striving to make a positive difference to care for women and babies. I will continue to make this clear to governments, and to the media, at every opportunity.
This year must be the turning point for UK maternity, where the whole system moves from investigation to action. We must be ‘at every table’, reinforcing that we, Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, are a key part of the solution.
Since the publication of Baroness Amos’ national maternity and neonatal report, I have met with Department of Health and Social Care colleagues, to discuss the work of the new national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, highlighting the College’s unique position to inform this. As a member of the taskforce, I will continue to represent the voice of our profession, working together with those with lived experience, to shape the national action plan, due out this December.
We have secured a kind offer from Michele Welsh, the government’s new Maternity Safety Advisor, to host an event for frontline Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, with more information to follow. I have also written to the new Secretary of State, Yvette Cooper, welcoming her and her pledge to prioritise maternity care, and asking for a meeting.
The RCOG’s new ‘Supporting Safe Maternity Care’ programme is moving forward, ensuring our work supports the profession to improve care, and addresses the themes highlighted in recent reviews. Look out for information to get involved.
I want to highlight key recent guidance: our Cord Clamping Scientific Impact Paper, our updated Placenta Accreta Spectrum guidance (GTG 27a), and amended Investigation and Management of the Small–for–Gestational–Age Fetus guideline (GTG 31) following NHS England's decision to stop using INTERGROWTH.
Fibroid Awareness month was busy and energising, with the inaugural UK Fibroid Summit held at the RCOG (thanks to Jimi, Mez and Christine). We will be developing a Green-top Guideline on fibroids and raising the profile of fibroid care in Westminster, thanks to our pioneering members and some super supportive MPs.
The RCOG Surgical Skills Project continues at pace, with huge thanks to our clinical fellows, Hannah and Naomi, and everyone supporting this fabulous programme. An exciting series of pilot courses launches soon, in response to requests from our membership, to support the development of surgical skills.
We have two robotic surgery courses in September, recognising the increasingly important role of robotics in the future of gynaecological surgery. A pilot course in advanced obstetrics is planned the first weekend in October, so do keep an eye out for the call for candidates.
The College will also soon start work on the ultrasound training project, with thanks to Professor Nicolaides, the British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society and our brilliant trainees for moving this forward.
Recent global activities include hosting the College’s Annual Members’ Meeting, which was broadcast live from our RCOG studio, and a fantastic IRC-LG Chairs meeting attended by more than 30 International Representative Committee and Liaison Group Chairs from around the world. These meetings provide an important focus for our global O&G community to reflect on what we have collectively achieved, while planning future priorities.
And then we have our 2027 World Congress in Kuala Lumpur! A fantastic scientific programme is being put together, and I can’t wait to see everyone there. Of course, it’s a great opportunity to tag on a holiday in beautiful Malaysia! Super early bird bookings are still available - so get your abstracts in and plan your travel now.
Finally, as always, you have my respect, admiration, and my commitment to stand with you, towards our shared purpose, to improve women’s health and maternity safety. The RCOG continues to push for our speciality to be ‘at every table’ providing solutions to the key challenges we face.
None of us should feel alone in facing these challenges. Your College, and your colleagues, are here to support you. I encourage you all to ask for support when needed and to offer support to those around you. On this important note, the RCOG is currently refreshing our ‘Supporting our Doctors’ resources in collaboration with the American College of O&G, who have a well-established ‘peer to peer’ support programme. The UK is not alone in its challenges, and the strength of our global O&G community is more important than ever.
With huge thanks for the incredible job you do, making a positive difference to women and babies, every day. I hope you get to enjoy some more of the summer.