The WA GP Obstetrics Network (WAGPON) was established in 2011 after a meeting of passionate GP obstetricians at the Rural Clinical School WA and Rural Health West Annual Scientific Meeting in Albany. Dr Sarah Moore, procedural GP obstetrician based in Busselton, took on the role of leading the Network and bringing together GP obstetricians, doctors in training, medical students and other interested stakeholders, both virtually via an email group and face-to-face at various conferences and workshops.

The aims of WAGPON are:

  1. To provide a safe and nurturing space for GP obstetricians (GPOs) to support one another. GP obstetrics, particularly in a rural setting, can be challenging and isolating at times, so WAGPON aims to provide GPOs with the resources, both human and educational, that will allow them to thrive.
  2. To maintain strong morale amongst the GP obstetric workforce in Western Australia.
  3. To inform GP obstetricians of upcoming educational events and upskilling opportunities that will support them with their professional development
  4. To provide GPOs with a communication channel to advertise job opportunities at their practices, including locum work.
  5. To provide information and inspiration to medical students and junior doctors about training and career opportunities in GP obstetrics.

WAGPON is free to join and has an open and inclusive membership policy. To register your interest in becoming a part of the Network, please visit our Contacts page and enter your details.

Maternity Care in General Practice

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) recognises that general practitioners (GPs) are an integral part of providing holistic and collaborative care during all phases of the antenatal and postnatal periods. As such, GPs should be integrated into the various models of maternity care.

Please click here to the 2018 RACGP position statement on Maternity care in general practice.

GP Obstetrics Think Tank

The inaugural GP Obstetrics Think Tank led by the GP Obstetrics Western Australian Advisory Group (GPOWAAG) was held in April 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Perth.

The Think Tank concluded that there is a genuine need for and a great deal of optimism regarding the future of GP obstetrics in rural Western Australia. Experienced doctors continue to be willing mentors for less experienced GPOs and there is a healthy number of young and enthusiastic practitioners to ensure the continuation of a viable rural GP obstetrics workforce. The GPOWAAG will continue to encourage and guide GP obstetric progress in outer metropolitan and rural Western Australia.

The GP Obstetrics Think Tank 2017 recommendations will provide a focus for the GPOWAAG for the next 12 months.  Full findings are available here.

The second GP Obstetrics Think Tank was held on 23 March 2018 and the findings and recommendations are available here.

GPOWAAG comprises representatives from:

  • Fiona Stanley Hospital
  • Joondalup Health Campus
  • King Edward Memorial Hospital
  • Postgraduate Medical Council of Western Australia
  • Rural Health West
  • Statewide Obstetrics Support Unit
  • WA Country Health Service
  • Western Australian General Practice Education and Training Limited