Huge congratulations to all our award winners on their fantastic achievements - the judges were blown away by the quality, variety and innovation on show.



Abstract award: Oral presentation
Best Oral Presentation by a Student or Trainee:
• Lactobacillus deplete vaginal microbial composition associates with euploid miscarriage and local inflammation - Karen Grewal


Abstract winner: iPoster
Third Prize: Prevention of retention of vaginal swabs and tampons with novel device system - Aditi Desai
Second Prize: Implementing a national fetal sequencing service for the diagnosis of monogenic conditions - Lyn Chitty
First Prize: Pathways to change: Linking training to improvement in surgical obstetric practice - Helen Allott


Stay tuned as we head to the final session of #RCOG2021 and our prestigious awards ceremony!



Dr Jo Mountfield drew our attention to the new workforce report, 'Roles and Responsibilities of a Consultant'.

This new report acknowledges that the role of the consultant extends far beyond that of just a senior and experienced clinician, but also encompasses the roles of team leader and role model, trainer and supervisor, risk manager, patient advocate and innovator. The paper highlights the organisational structure and support required to enable consultants to fulfil these responsibilities.

Professor Dilly Anumba provided a comprehensive overview of Tommy’s National Centre for Maternity Improvement.

The overarching aim of Tommy’s is to undertake a programme of implementation using the currently recommended interventions for the management of preterm birth and stillbirth in the UK, aiming to reduce national rates of preterm birth and stillbirth by improving care across all units.

Rather than focusing on unit level and single centre research projects to mitigate preterm birth and stillbirth, the Centre prioritises system-level interventions and personalised patient-level care pathways covering the continuum of a woman’s pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey in collaboration with the wider NHS systems, structures and workforce.



One of the most special things about RCOG World Congress is the opportunity for people at all career stages to share their research and findings. Our judges have been blown away by the quality, variety and innovation on show.


Jodie Hughes is a PhD student at the University of Roehampton and founder and chair of trustees at the charity Endometriosis South Coast. Jodie's poster is at #RCOG2021 and we were delighted to speak to her about the difference she hopes to make.


Dr Bruce Bekkar is a women's health physician, author and keynote speaker who has been engaged with the climate crisis since 2007.

We were grateful to speak to Bruce before #RCOG2021 and we look forward to hearing more about this important topic today.

We will be publishing our position statement on air pollution in pregnancy on Thursday 17 June to mark Clean Air Day.

Join healthcare professionals from around the world in signing the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change call for urgent climate action in this in this critical year of COP26 here.




The RCOG’s Race Equality Taskforce was set up in 2020 to address the disparity in health outcomes experienced by Black, Asian and minority ethnic women and girls in the UK, as well as tackling the impact of bias and racism on the careers and development of doctors working in obstetrics and gynaecology.

The taskforce is made up of three streams and is critical to College activities, bringing insight to inform work around education and training, developing and improving RCOG products and influencing policy.

We have big ambitions to collaborate with healthcare organisations, the governments of the UK and individual women to make meaningful action to address the inequalities present in the UK today.

Do you want to get involved in the RCOG's Race Equality Taskforce? Send an email to RET@RCOG.ORG.UK to find out more.


Professor Arri Coomarasamy is the Director of the Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research and Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Women’s Health at the University of Birmingham. 

We were delighted to hear Arri's perspective on why it is an exciting time to work in early pregnancy.



Professor Lucy Chappell spoke to us prior to #RCOG2021 about her research.

Professor Lucy Chappell has been leading the RCOG’s COVID-19 vaccine group, helping to ensure that pregnant women can access vaccination with appropriate counselling. View the RCOG's COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy resources here.

A real privilege to hear Professor Lucy Chappell provide a comprehensive overview of COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy at #RCOG2019. View our COVID-19 hub here.



Brilliant hearing from Professor Marian Knight, Professor of Maternal and Child Population Health at the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, talk about effects of COVID-19 on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Both Marian and Professor Lucy Chappell are participating in a fascinating Q&A as part of the morning stream, answering questions doctors’ questions from across the globe.


The RCOG's Making Abortion Safe programme is a three-year programme working to increase healthcare professionals' capacity to address the barriers to safe abortion and/or post-abortion care for women and girls globally.

The programme works in five focus countries (Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Zimbabwe), while also advocating for safe abortion and post-abortion care globally through RCOG members.

Tune in to #RCOG2021 now to hear more about the programme.


A really powerful talk from Dr Orly Stern on ‘Women in War: The Price of Violence’ including displacement, gender violence, exploitation, and healthcare needs. Find out more about Dr Stern here.



Fascinating interview between Hassan Shehata, RCOG International Council Representative for MENA & Gulf and RCOG Vice President Susan Ward.

Susan discussed her highlights from #RCOG2021 including Chris Turner’s Civility Saves Lives and Rehan Khan’s talk of differential attainment, which was a must watch with a ‘message for every Trust in the country’.

She also discussed her role as Vice President for Education and the challenges of the pandemic including:

- The future of the MRCOG exam

- Increasing the accessibility and influence of our world-class online courses

-Her work with the many different committees including the Women’s Network.








This morning we have had a truly global perspective on current issues and hot topics in O&G with presentations from doctors in Australia, Malaysia, India, USA, Hong Kong and Ireland. #RCOG2021 has welcome healthcare professionals from 85+ countries, all working to improve women's health.


Welcome to the final day of #RCOG2021!