Gippsland doctor advocating for better access to women's healthcare

Improving access to women's healthcare in Gippsland is a driving force behind Lauren Downie's work as a rural generalist obstetrician.
Dr Downie works at a private clinic in Warragul as well as at West Gippsland Hospital and relief work at Ararat.
Her passion in the field has led to her selection to attend the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine's (ACRRM) Emerging Leaders Conference in Adelaide in October 2026.
She will join recently fellowed rural generalists from across Australia to develop leadership skills and explore solutions to challenges facing rural, remote, and First Nations healthcare.
Dr Downie said her passion for leadership was grounded in ensuring women could access timely, evidence-based care, regardless of where they lived.
"In rural communities, healthcare services may exist, but they are not always easy to find or access," Dr Downie said.
"For many women, particularly when seeking maternity care or pregnancy-options care, navigating the healthcare system can be confusing and overwhelming.
"I'm passionate about helping create healthcare systems that are accessible, compassionate and deserving of the trust our communities place in them."
Dr Downie has spent much of her career working in women's health, obstetrics and rural generalist medicine across Gippsland.
She has been a strong advocate for improving access to reproductive healthcare and supporting rural generalist training opportunities, while also mentoring junior doctors and contributing to the education of future rural clinicians.
Over the past year, while supporting her family during an overseas military posting, she remained actively involved in rural medicine through her work with ACRRM and national guideline development.
As the only rural based practitioner on the Australian Living Evidence Collaboration's Antenatal Care panel, Dr Downie advocates for the perspectives of rural patients and clinicians in the development of evidence-based pregnancy and postnatal care guidelines.
She also is involved in exploring innovative approaches to improving access to reproductive healthcare for regional communities.
ACRRM president Rod Martin said Dr Downie's commitment to women's health and rural healthcare advocacy made her an ideal participant in the Emerging Leaders Conference.
"Dr Downie has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving access to healthcare for rural communities and supporting the next generation of Rural Generalists," Dr Martin said.
"Her work in women's health, education and advocacy reflects the important role Rural Generalists play in strengthening healthcare for regional Australians."
Dr Downie said she hoped the conference would help her develop the skills needed to continue advocating for better health outcomes across Gippsland.
"I want to learn from other rural generalists and bring new ideas back to my local community," she said.
"Ultimately, I want to help create a healthcare system that is accessible, compassionate and well connected to the needs of rural people."