About the Department

The University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology is responsible for teaching Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatal Paediatrics, to undergraduate medical students. Currently, each year approximately 250 medical students spend 9 weeks attached to the Department during the fifth year of their medical course. In addition, there are a number of higher degree students pursuing full-time or part-time research through the Department. These include Advanced Medical Science, Doctor of Medicine, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy students.

The Vision of the Department is to be an internationally recognised centre of excellence for academic Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatal Paediatrics, and its Mission is to provide a high quality academic service across a broad range of clinical, educational and research activities within its associated teaching hospitals, and especially at its major centres, the Royal Women's Hospital and the Mercy Hospital for Women. Other participating hospitals are Geelong Hospital, Sunshine Hospital, Northern Hospital, Ballarat Hospital and Goulburn Valley Hospital (Shepparton). Ballarat and Goulburn Valley are linked to the Rural Clinical School.

NOTE: In June 2008, the Royal Women's Hospital moved to a new, state-of-the-art facility on the corner of Grattan Street and Flemington Road in Parkville.

The Mercy Hospital for Women has recently relocated to a new facility at Heidelberg and the Royal Women's Hospital relocated to a new site alongside the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 2008.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has a strong research base with a history of significant competitive grant funding success from external, peer reviewed, grant awarding bodies. Particular areas of current research strength include maternal fetal medicine, neonatal paediatrics, women's health, andrology, gynaecological oncology and reproductive biology.

Staff of the Department include clinical academics, research fellows, research assistants, administrative personnel and a large number of teaching associates associated with the various teaching hospitals involved in the Department's undergraduate teaching programme.