Four new women’s health clinics will open in regional and metropolitan Victoria as part of the state government’s plan to establish 20 multidisciplinary services across the state.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced the next round of locations on Monday, confirming clinics in Ararat, Bacchus Marsh, Heidelberg and Prahran.
The Ararat clinic will be operated by East Grampians Health. Western Health will run the Bacchus Marsh service. In Heidelberg, Austin Health and Mercy Hospital for Women will jointly operate the clinic. The Prahran site will be delivered by Bayside Health at Alfred Health.
The services are designed to provide specialist care closer to home, including access to gynaecologists, urologists, specialist GPs, nurses and allied health professionals. Women will be able to seek treatment and advice for conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, prolapse, incontinence, contraception, abortion and menopause.
Ms Thomas said the clinics were aimed at removing financial and practical barriers to care.
“We’re making it easier for Victorian women to get the care they need – it’s completely free and close to home,” she said.
She added that access to comprehensive services would improve under the program. “Victorian women will no longer need to jump through hurdles to get comprehensive, specialist care.”
The announcement builds on the Child and Adolescent Women’s Health Clinic at the Royal Children’s Hospital, which was established following the Victorian Inquiry into Women’s Pain
The announcement builds on the Child and Adolescent Women’s Health Clinic at the Royal Children’s Hospital, which was established following the Victorian Inquiry into Women’s Pain.
The government has said its approach was shaped by feedback from 13,000 women and girls who reported gender health gaps, experiences of medical bias and feelings of being ignored or dismissed.
Alongside the clinic network, the government is rolling out ‘green whistle’ pain relief and introducing a statewide standard for women’s pain care.
The 20-clinic network forms part of a $153 million women’s health package. The broader program includes a mobile clinic, Aboriginal-led services, a virtual women’s health clinic and 20 sexual and reproductive health hubs.
Parliamentary Secretary for Women’s Health Kat Theophanous said the expansion would broaden access across the state.
“We’re building a healthcare system that works for all Victorian women – expanding access, investing in specialists and making sure the support is there when and where they need it.”
Further information about clinic locations is available at health.vic.gov.au/public-health/womens-health-wellbeing-program.
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