Overview of Obstetric Medicine Training
Overview of Obstetric Medicine Training
SOMANZ will issue the Obstetric Medicine Certificate to Advanced Trainees or Fellows who complete the SOMANZ recommended training. This is not recognised as a separate or additional qualification by the RACP and as yet Obstetric Medicine is not recognised by AHPRA or MCNZ as a separate specialty. SOMANZ will recognise individuals as an “Obstetric Physician” based on successful completion of their RACP training (in any specialty) and the issuing of the SOMANZ Obstetric Medicine certificate. As of October 2023, SOMANZ will also recognise individuals as an “Obstetric Physician” if they are successful in their application for Post-Fellowship Recognition in Obstetric Medicine. Post-Fellowship Recognition in Obstetric Medicine is not designed to replace Post-Fellowship training in Obstetric Medicine. Post-Fellowship training is the standard pathway available to Fellows who wish to be recognised in Obstetric Medicine in addition to their other fellowship/s. Post-Fellowship training is prospectively approved and supervised in accordance with the requirements for training in Obstetric Medicine.
Site Accreditation For Obstetric Medicine Training
Sites wishing to apply for site accreditation need to apply through the RACP website here.
This application will then be considered by the Executive Council of SOMANZ and recommendations made to the General and Acute Care Medicine ATC.
Sites Suitable For Training In Obstetric Medicine
The following Institutions are suitable training sites for Obstetric Medicine approved by the RACP Advanced Training Committee (ATC) in General & Acute Care Medicine and the SOMANZ Council:
| Training site | Positions | Supervisor |
| Accredited for 12 months Training for the SOMANZ Obstetric Medicine Certificate | ||
| National Women’s Health, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand | 2 positions | Dr Catherine Marnoch |
| Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, QLD | 2.5 positions | Dr Penny Wolski |
| The Mater Mothers Hospital, Brisbane, QLD | 2 positions | A/Prof Josephine Laurie |
| The Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick, NSW | 1 position | A/Prof Sandra Lowe |
| Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW | 1 position | Professor Angela Makris |
| Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, VIC | 2 positions | Dr Suet-Wan Choy |
| Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC | 2 positions | Dr Sarah Price |
| Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital (Western Health), VIC | 1 position | Dr Briony Cutts |
| King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Perth, WA | 1 position | Dr Dorothy Graham |
| Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, SA | 1 position | Dr Mark Morton |
| Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA | 1 position | Dr Jessica Gehlert |
| Accredited for 6 months Training for the SOMANZ Obstetric Medicine Certificate | ||
| Cairns Hospital, QLD | 1 position | Dr Nirjhar Nandi |
| Townsville Hospital, QLD | 1 position | Dr Kunwarjit Sangla |
| Sunshine Coast University Hospital, QLD | 1 position | Dr Sophie Poulter |
| Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD | 1 position | Dr Katherine Griffin |
| Ipswich Hospital, QLD
Campbelltown Hospital, NSW |
1 position
1 position |
Dr Vishwas Raghunath
Dr Theepika Rajkumar |
| Northern Health, VIC | 1 position | Dr Siaw Wong |
| Lyell McEwin Hospital, SA | 1 position | Dr Melissa Whalan / Dr Ana McCarthy |
Training Curriculum
The updated Obstetric Medicine training curriculum was developed as part of the curriculum renewal for RACP General and Acute Care Medicine training and will be implemented from February 2026.
Obstetric Medicine trainees knowledge guide
SOMANZ Clinical Supervisor of the Year Award
The mission statement of the Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand includes to foster the highest levels of training and education in Obstetric Medicine.
SOMANZ has instigated the Clinical Supervisor award to recognise excellence in obstetric medicine supervision, clinical teaching and outstanding contributions to obstetric medicine education. Nominations for this Award must be made exclusively by a trainee.
The recipient of this Award will be an obstetric medicine supervisor who fulfils the principal criteria which can be demonstrated by at least two additional criteria as listed below:
PRINCIPAL CRITERIA:
- Makes a significant contribution to the supervision of trainees in obstetric medicine training.
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA:
- Demonstrated evidence of developing and/or delivering innovative high quality programs and approaches for education in obstetric medicine;
- Made a significant contribution to mentoring and the provision of career advice to trainees, recognising the strengths and areas for development in individuals, and incorporating these into constructive feedback;
- Fosters a work environment that encourages education.
- Models behaviours that encourage best practice.
- Advocated for obstetric medicine education and training in the workplace and beyond, which could include contributions to a Postgraduate Medical Council or any organisation involved in the education and training of Obstetric Medicine;
- Made a significant contribution to promoting the well-being of trainees;
- Demonstrated evidence of improving education and training opportunities in rural and remote locations as per Modified Monash 2-7 categories – https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/health-workforce/health-workforce-classifications/modified-monash-model.
Nominations for 2026 Clinical Supervisor of the Year Award is now closed. Please click the below link to download the Nomination form.
For further information, you can contact the SOMANZ Obstetric Medicine Training Committee or contact the SOMANZ Secretariat at admin@somanz.org:
Dr. Siaw Hui Wong
Chair of the SOMANZ Training Committee
SOMANZ representative on the RACP Advanced Training Committee in General and Acute Care Medicine
Head of Medical Obstetrics, Northern Health
General & Obstetric Medicine Physician, Northern & Mercy Health
A: 185 Cooper Street, Epping VIC 3076
T: (03) 8405 8000 (hospital switchboard)
E: siaw.h.wong@nh.org.au