Day 2 | Session 5 | Concurrent | Regional workforce focus
Closing the gap: the role of SIMGs in strengthening the New Zealand O&G workforce
As workforce shortages continue to challenge the New Zealand healthcare system, SIMGs remain an essential component of New Zealand's Obstetric and Gynaecology service.
This presentation reviews the status of SIMGs within RANZCOG NZ, barriers to recruitment and retention, and the complexities of the registration and assessment process.
The role of supervision and strategies to enhance support and long-term professional engagement will also be explored.
Dr Jo Gheevarghese
Obstetrician Gynaecologist, Whanganui Hospital
Deputy Chair, RANZCOG SIMG NZ Committee
Rural generalism: building a sustainable rural maternity workforce in Aotearoa
Rural and regional maternity services across Aotearoa face increasing workforce and sustainability challenges, with implications for equitable access to safe birthing close to home.
Building on established Australian rural generalist models and drawing on comparable approaches to rural maternity care in Canada, this presentation explores how rural generalism can contribute to maintaining local maternity capability. It considers the training pathways, workforce arrangements and health system design needed to adapt and sustain this approach in Aotearoa.
Dr Brendan Marshall
GP and Rural Generalist
Greymouth
Dr Brendan Marshall is a Rural Generalist and Chief Medical Officer for Health New Zealand on the west coast of Aotearoa New Zealand.
His clinical practice includes rural generalist obstetrics (GP;ED and Obstetric duties), alongside leadership roles in health system planning and workforce development.
Brendan is actively involved in the national development of rural generalism, with particular interests in training pathways, sustainable maternity services and enabling clinicians to train and work in rural communities.
His broader interests include socially accountable medical education, health equity and designing health systems that respond to the needs of communities.
Labour shortage: when push comes to shove
In this session, Caitlin will tackle critical staffing and workforce challenges currently impacting rural / regional O&G services across Aotearoa.
Dr Caitlin Prendergast
Obstetrician Gynaecologist
Whangārei
Caitlin Prendergast is a Whangārei-based early career SMO dedicated to
equitable, evidence-based care.
Having returned to her home region of Te Tai
Tokerau, she brings a deep understanding of regional healthcare dynamics.
Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the regions of Aotearoa: a panel discussion
All of the above speakers will be joined by Dr Katy Culliney for a panel discussion focused on 'Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the regions of Aotearoa'.
As clinical director of O&G in Hauora a Toi Katy has dealt with many challenges in regional workforce recruitment and retention, including the temporary closure, hiring of a whole new SMO team, and safe re-opening of O&G services in Whakatane hospital.
Katy joins the panel to share her learnings in the area of regional O&G workforce in NZ.
Dr Katy Culliney
Obstetrician Gynaecologist, Clinical Director O&G
Hauora a Toi
Katy is an Obstetrician Gynaecologist and Clinical Director or O&G at Hauora a Toi (Tauranga and Whakatane Hospitals). She completed her training in New Zealand. Katy has an interest in education and simulation, having completed post-graduate study and a simulation Fellowship in Brisbane. She has been in clinical leadership for 5 years and completed a master's in health leadership. Her clinical interests are in minimally invasive surgery, persistent pelvic pain and complex laparoscopy.