Be the change you want to see. Or at least share the change you want to see.

We all know parts of Australia’s women’s healthcare system need to work better. We see the gaps, the barriers and the consequences in our consulting rooms every day. Now there is an opportunity to put forward not just what is wrong, but what could make it better.

The Senate Select Committee on Women’s Health is inviting submissions by Friday 9 October 2026.

The inquiry addresses issues that are central to our work as specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists. These include pregnancy and postpartum care, women’s experiences following birth and the cost and accessibility of the support they need. Its broader scope also encompasses women’s pain, fertility treatment and medical devices used in women’s healthcare. You can read the full terms of reference on the Committee’s website.

For NASOG, the value of this inquiry lies in the opportunity to connect women’s experiences with the clinical expertise and system changes needed to improve their care. We want the Committee to understand what good care requires, where access is falling short and the practical reforms that could make a meaningful difference.

Our members bring an essential perspective. You see how funding arrangements, workforce pressures, service availability and referral pathways affect women’s choices. You understand the importance of continuity, timely specialist assessment and access to a complete clinical team. You also see the consequences when women cannot obtain the care they need, when they need it.

These insights deserve to be part of the evidence considered by the Committee.

NASOG’s submission will reinforce our commitment to safe, accessible and affordable specialist women’s healthcare. We will advocate for a sustainable maternity system in which public and private services work together, women can exercise meaningful choice and collaborative teams have the resources to deliver appropriate care.

Affordability must be part of that discussion. Choice means little if a woman cannot afford to access the service she needs. Equally, improving access requires attention to the viability of the practices, hospital services and specialist workforce that provide that care.

We would welcome your feedback to help strengthen our submission and guide our continuing advocacy. Tell us what you are seeing in your practice. Where are the gaps? Which arrangements work well? What changes would improve care for your patients? Specific examples, relevant evidence and practical recommendations will help us present a clear picture of both the challenges and the opportunities.

Tell us your thoughts HERE

I also encourage members to consider making their own submission by 9 October. A focused contribution on an issue within your experience can be valuable. You may wish to address a particular term of reference, describe a service gap or explain how a proposed reform could improve outcomes. Please ensure any clinical examples protect patient confidentiality.

Alongside members’ feedback, we are seeking patients’ perspectives through the NASOG patient survey. Understanding their experiences will help us explain how access, affordability, communication and continuity affect women in practice.

Please support this work by inviting patients to participate through the survey invitation provided to participating practices. Participation is voluntary. NASOG will not receive patients’ personal contact details and the survey does not request them. We want women to have an opportunity to share their experiences freely, including what has worked well and where care could improve.

Share this survey link with patients https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NASOGPatientExperienceSurvey2026

When sharing the link, please ensure that you follow the privacy guidelines for your practice.

The submission deadline is an important milestone but our engagement will continue as the inquiry progresses over the next 12 months.

NASOG will provide ongoing information and seek opportunities for consultation with Senators and the Committee as they work through the submissions and the issues raised. We will continue to draw on members’ expertise and patients’ feedback to clarify concerns, contribute evidence and develop practical responses.

We look forward to the consultation process over the coming months. It offers an opportunity to build a fuller understanding of women’s healthcare and to pursue improvements informed by those receiving and delivering care.

Please read the terms of reference, consider making a submission by 9 October and share your feedback with NASOG. Your contribution will strengthen our collective voice and help keep the discussion focused on what women need: timely access to safe, affordable and connected care.