More Victorian women, including those in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, will soon have access to free and comprehensive care and support under the one roof, with five of the state governments Women’s Health Clinics opening across Victoria from June.
The first five of 20 comprehensive women’s health clinics will open at the Northern Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital, Frankston Hospital, Barwon Health Geelong and Ballarat Base Hospital.
Services will be delivered by gynecologists, urologists, specialist nursing and allied health support under the one roof.
According to the state government this will make it easier for women to access specialist care for conditions including endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), perimenopause and menopause.
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.
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.
The Women’s Pain Survey is now open at engage.vic.gov.au/inquiry-into-womens-pain-survey
