What's on in Gold Coast: Beyond PAS: Anatomy-Guided Surgery for Complex Caesarean Delivery, Saturday 11 July, what to expect and how to go

Gold Coast obstetricians and midwives have a rare chance to learn cutting-edge surgical techniques this Saturday when the Beyond PAS course lands on the coast. The one-day session, running 11 July from 9am to 2pm, focuses on anatomy-guided approaches to complex caesarean delivery-a skillset that matters when pregnancies don't follow textbook paths.

PAS stands for placenta accreta spectrum, a serious pregnancy complication where the placenta embeds too deeply into the uterine wall. It's becoming more common, particularly among women who've had previous caesareans or uterine procedures. Surgeons and midwives who understand how to navigate these cases safely need specialised training beyond standard obstetric curricula. That's what this workshop delivers.

Why Gold Coast needs this training now

The Gold Coast maternity landscape has shifted considerably. The region's rapid population growth-fuelled partly by interstate migration-has strained public and private obstetric services. Gold Coast University Hospital, the major public maternity facility, manages more than 9,000 deliveries annually. Private units like those at Robina Private Hospital and the Medicentre facilities across Southport and Ashmore handle significant patient loads alongside their public counterparts. As case complexity rises and emergency procedures become more frequent, clinicians need refresher training and evidence-based updates.

Maternal mortality and severe morbidity from undiagnosed or poorly managed placental complications rank among the most preventable obstetric emergencies in Australia. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) regularly emphasises training in high-risk delivery scenarios. Saturday's course aligns directly with that clinical need.

The Beyond PAS program combines didactic teaching with practical anatomical case studies. Registrants typically include consultant obstetricians, obstetric registrars, midwifery educators, and experienced theatre nurses-the teams who manage high-acuity births. The curriculum covers imaging interpretation (ultrasound and MRI), surgical planning, intraoperative decision-making, and complication management. Attendees work through real-world scenarios drawn from published cases and institutional experience.

How to register and what to bring

Registration has already opened via Eventbrite, with details available at the Beyond PAS event page. Spaces fill quickly at these specialist courses; obstetricians and midwives across the Gold Coast, Logan, and Scenic Rim catchments typically register early. The exact venue location on the Gold Coast has not been publicly listed yet, so confirmed registrants will receive final instructions and parking details closer to the date.

Attendees should bring a notebook and comfortable shoes-anatomical teaching sessions often include hands-on demonstration stations. The course runs a full day, so packing snacks or planning lunch nearby is advisable. The Gold Coast's Southport and Broadbeach medical precinct has abundant cafés and break facilities within walking distance of most private training venues.

Pricing and final confirmation details remain under registration; prospective attendees are urged to check the Eventbrite listing or contact the course organisers directly for current fees and any cancellation policies.

Clinicians working across Gold Coast Health, private maternity units, and allied midwifery services benefit from this kind of upskilling. It's the type of professional development that doesn't always make headlines, but it quietly improves outcomes when the stakes are highest. Saturday's workshop is a rare on-the-coast opportunity for the region's obstetric teams to strengthen their collective capability in managing one of modern obstetrics' most challenging scenarios.