Clinic to treat endo and pelvic pain patients

A HEALTH provider in Belmont will be upgraded to include a specialist centre for endometriosis and pelvic pain through federal government support.

The clinic at the Kardinia Health medical centre will be one of 20 created across Australia through $16 million in funding and will provide expert, multidisciplinary services.

Kardinia Health will receive $700,000 over four years to improve its specialist services, including hiring extra staff suc as nurses and allied health professionals, investing in equipment or fit-outs as well as health provider resources, and for training and development.

Endometriosis affects at least one in nine Australian women and can have an extensive, devastating impact on the daily lives of sufferers, with those suffering waiting on average of seven years before diagnosis.

Pelvic pain can be similarly complex and debilitating, with the impact being felt beyond individuals as it is estimated to cost the Australian economy $6 billion a year.

Working in existing general practices, the clinics will strengthen what is often the first point of contact in the health system to reduce diagnostic delays and promote early access to multi-disciplinary intervention, care and treatment.

As well as directly helping patients, the clinics will raise awareness of endometriosis and pelvic pain, build professional knowledge and skills in this area, and improve access to information and care pathways.

Patients will be able to get access to the clinic by making an appointment directly with Kardinia Health.

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney, Corangamite federal member Libby Coker and Corio federal member Richard Marles visited Kardinia Health on Friday last week to tour the centre and speak with practice staff.

“Too often, women who present with pelvic pain are not believed – they get an eyeroll from their friends and their community and too often from medical professionals – and are told that women just have to suffer with pelvic pain; that’s just part of life,” Ms Kearney said.

“Well, we know that’s simply not true, because once a diagnosis is made, there are definitive treatments, and women can get on with their lives.”

Ms Coker also welcomed the announcement, and said the clinic would serve the wider Geelong region and south-west Victoria.

“I am so pleased to be here at Kardinia Health in Belmont today to visit the clinic that has been selected to provide this critical support to the women of our region,” Ms Coker said.

“We know that so many women suffer from pelvic pain conditions and endometriosis, and they just aren’t getting the care that they need.

“By boosting the capacity of existing clinics like Kardinia Health, we’re supporting the practitioners who are experts in the needs of their communities to foster knowledge and skills under one roof.”

Lorne resident Carly Stafford, who has suffered from endometriosis for decades, said the clinic was a great opportunity for the women of the region.

“I know early intervention is the key for endometriosis, and a diagnosis and being able to find other ways of treating this disorder that will actually help you live a very healthy and full life,

“As a sufferer of endometriosis, it really does affect your daily life and does have long-term affects, so any opportunity to have resources available, to have a variety of treatments that are just not pain relief.

“And I really encourage women out there that if you have discomfort or have that pain, please do come and seek these resources, because they’re avalable, and we need to be using them, so people understand that there’s quite a few of us out there suffering, and we don’t need to be.”