Submissions, Position Statements and Recommendations
This section shows NASOG's Submissions, Position Statements and Recommendations. If you have any queries, would like to endorse any of the papers or collaborate on future work, please contact us at admin@nasog.org.au
14 August 2026
Joint Position Statement: Independent External Review of Maternity Services with High Rates of Severe Obstetric Perineal Trauma
NASOG, together with the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand and the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand, is calling for a nationally consistent process for the independent external review of maternity services with unusually high rates of severe obstetric perineal injury. The joint position statement recognises third- and fourth-degree perineal tears as serious patient safety outcomes with potentially lifelong consequences. It calls for transparent, multidisciplinary review that examines patient risk factors, clinical practice, workforce capability, specialist involvement, models of care and governance to identify opportunities to prevent harm and improve maternity care across Australia.
14 August 2026
National Recommendations for Independent External Review of Severe Obstetric Perineal Injury (Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury)
NASOG, the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand and the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand have developed nine national recommendations for the independent external review of maternity services with unusually high rates of severe obstetric perineal injury. The recommendations propose a consistent national framework, an initial review threshold of 5 per cent of vaginal births and independent multidisciplinary review of patient, clinical and health-service factors. They also call for clear accountability, consumer partnership and a national learning system to ensure that findings lead to sustained improvements in maternity care and patient safety.