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Host Dr Olga Ward is joined by rural GPs Dr Penny Wilson and Dr Verelle Rooke for a practical discussion on antenatal care in communities without local obstetric services. They explore early pregnancy management, shared-care pathways, updated screening tests, ultrasound timing, and common challenges such as hypertension, glucose intolerance and MTHFR queries.
Access the podcast here.
About the Forum
This forum is run in partnership with WA Country Health Service and Rural Health West.
The one and a half day Rural Obstetrics and Gynaecology Forum 2025, will include optional Friday workshops, small problem-based discussions, lectures, and simulation sessions delivered concurrently and facilitated by experienced specialists. The forum will provide an opportunity to network with fellow colleagues.
Optional Pre-Forum Workshops
Fetal Surveillance Education Program (FSEP)
The FSEP Full program provides a solid foundation of information for all clinicians involved in antenatal and intrapartum care. The goal is to reduce the risks of adverse perinatal outcome by improving professional levels of understanding and confidence in the area of fetal surveillance.
Date: Friday 20 June 2025
Venue: Aloft Perth, 27 Rowe Avenue, Rivervale
Cost: $220 – $330.00
Ultrasound Workshop (Late obstetrics)
An engaging and hands-on Ultrasound Workshop tailored specifically for rural General Practitioner Obstetricians. This one-day workshop aims to enhance late pregnancy scanning skills and knowledge, empowering rural healthcare providers to provide high-quality ultrasound services within their communities. Topics that will be covered include fluid, placenta and cervix scanning, measuring biometry, reviewing of images and much more. Each workshop participant will get approximately four hours of scanning practise, as well as four lecture sessions to consolidate and further knowledge.
Date: Friday 20 June 2025
Venue: Aloft Perth, 27 Rowe Avenue, Rivervale
Cost: $1100.00
Forum Details
Date: Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June 2025
Venue: Aloft Perth, 27 Rowe Avenue, Rivervale
Eligibility
Registration Fees (inclusive of GST)
| Category | Fee (inc. GST) |
| Registration only | $1375 |
| Venue Accommodation per night Includes breakfast and accommodation for one |
$145 |
Registration fee includes:
*Travel grant is only applicable to eligible delegates living and working in rural Western Australia
This education workshop is proudly delivered by Rural Health West in partnership with WA Country Health Service.
This workshop is being run ahead of our Rural Obstetrics and Gynaecology Forum, however is open to non-forum delegates.
An engaging and hands-on Ultrasound Workshop tailored specifically for rural General Practitioner Obstetricians. This one-day workshop aims to enhance late pregnancy scanning skills and knowledge, empowering rural healthcare providers to provide high-quality ultrasound services within their communities.
Eligibility: Obstetricians, GP Obstetricians
Length: 8:00am – 5:15pm
Cost: $1100.00
To register: https://ruralhealthwest.eventsair.com/rogf25/ultrasoundonly/Site/Register
This education workshop is proudly delivered by Rural Health West in partnership with WA Country Health Service.
This workshop is being run ahead of our Rural Obstetrics and Gynaecology Forum, however is open to non-forum delegates.
The FSEP Full program provides a solid foundation of information for all clinicians involved in antenatal and intrapartum care. The goal is to reduce the risks of adverse perinatal outcome by improving professional levels of understanding and confidence in the area of fetal surveillance.
By the end of the FSEP session, it is hoped that participants will:
Eligibility: Obstetricians, GP Obstetricians, Midwives, Residents, Registrars, Trainees, Midwifery Students, Medical Students
Length: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Cost: $220 – $330
Payment structure
You will receive an email link for payment in an event confirmation email 6-8 weeks prior to the workshop, if successful. Payment is required within 10 days of receiving the email. If full payment is not received within 10 days, your place will be offered to another delegate.
Tp register: https://ruralhealthwest.eventsair.com/rogf25/fsepreg/Site/Register
The National Maternity Workforce Strategy (NMWS) 2026–2036 is a coordinated effort to build a resilient and sustainable maternity workforce across Australia.
The review project, led by Queensland, aimed to provide:
The review project made several key findings, which will lead to the development of Phase Two.
Co-led by New South Wales and Queensland. The Strategy addresses key challenges in:
Stemming from the Independent Review of Australia’s Regulatory Settings Relating to Overseas Health Practitioners (Kruk Review), the NMWS emphasises accessible, culturally safe maternity services for all Australians.
The NMWS focuses on practical strategies to support the recruitment, retention, and professional development of maternity clinicians, including:
Excluding industrial matters or models of care, this strategy supports clinicians working to their full scope across various settings, informed by a commitment to cultural safety and equity. First Nations voices play a key role in shaping the strategy to ensure inclusive, respectful outcomes.
The NMWS Steering Committee will be appointed in late 2024. Representatives will be from both large and small jurisdictions as well as experts to guide the Strategy’s development.
This committee ensures alignment with stakeholder feedback and national priorities, operating with input from the Strategic Advisory Group. The Steering Committee reports to the Health Workforce Taskforce to maintain a coordinated approach.
The Strategic Advisory Group will be appointed in late 2024. It will include cross-professional representatives across the Maternity Workforce with a focus on First Nations and rural health perspectives.
The Advisory Group provides feedback on essential workforce needs and solutions, supporting a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach to maternity care.
The National Maternity Workforce Strategy will be completed by late 2025. Key phases include:
