More Geelong women will soon have access to free and comprehensive care and support under the one roof, with five of the Allan Labor Government’s Women’s Health Clinics opening across Victoria from June including one in Geelong.
Member for Lara Ella George, Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant and Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman today officially announced that Barwon Health Geelong is one of the first five with other locations including the Northern Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital, Frankston Hospital and Ballarat Base Hospital.
Both the Royal Women’s Hospital and Barwon Health have existing women’s health clinics, which will now extend services to five days a week following this investment. The three other locations will establish new clinics.
The clinics will remove the barriers women face when trying to access specialist care and deliver more services closer to home.
Services will be delivered by hardworking gynecologists, urologists, specialist nursing and allied health support under the one roof, making it easier for women to access specialist care for conditions including endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), perimenopause and menopause.
Part of the Labor Government’s landmark $153 million women’s health package, five clinics will open every year over the next four years across Victoria – including a culturally safe Aboriginal-led clinic and a mobile Women’s Health Clinic which will visit remote parts of the state.
The announcement coincides with the opening of the Women’s Pain Survey, which is seeking the views of women and girls who have experiences with pain and accessing related services.
Seeking a wide range of views, the survey is also calling on clinicians and healthcare workers to help identify areas where the health system and services can be improved.
The findings will contribute to the ongoing Inquiry into Women’s Pain, adding to the insights from Victoria’s recent nation-leading health report, Listening to Women's Voices. This confirmed what women already know: their health and pain are real and regularly overlooked, with 40 per cent of Victorian women living with chronic pain.
Victoria has a proud track record of working to improve women’s health outcomes – from establishing Victoria’s first clinic for women’s heart health, delivering 11 sexual and reproductive health hubs, and launching the state’s first ever sexual and reproductive health phone line.
The Women’s Pain Survey is now open at engage.vic.gov.au/inquiry-into-womens-pain-survey
Quote attributable to Member for Lara Ella George
“Women in our community will be able to access the world class care they deserve for a range of complex conditions easily all while being close to home.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant
“This clinic will provide the care women in our community need with a range of specialists all under the one roof ensuring women have fast and easy access to care tailored to their needs.”
Quote attributable to Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman
“Expanding services to five days a week is a big boost for the Barwon community ensuring that more women can access the care they need when they need it.”
