Mobile women’s clinic celebrates first anniversary

WOMEN across regional and rural Victoria have historically faced barriers to access care because of their location, but a mobile clinic is helping to address this.

The women’s health mobile clinic, also known as Nina, marked one year on the road on Wednesday last week.

During her first year in service, Nina visited 19 towns and treated more than 620 women and girls aged between 10 and 89 years old.

Delivered in partnership with BreastScreen Victoria, Nina is staffed by an all-female team.

Appointments are free and run for 45 minutes, with no referral needed.

The team provides care across every life stage, including cervical and bowel screening, STI testing, contraception, abortion care and support for conditions such as pelvic pain, bladder health, menstruation, perimenopause and menopause

A recent evaluation highlighted why this service is working for Victorian women, particularly those aged 35 to 59.

Women said they loved that the service included specialist women’s health expertise, longer consults, confidentiality and care closer to home at no cost.

It is also helping women improve their health literacy and learn self-advocacy when seeking care.

The mobile clinic visits a rotating list of regional towns across Victoria, based on community need and local health service gaps.

Between March and June, Nina will visit Apollo Bay, Mansfield, Balmoral and Phillip Island.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas celebrated Nina’s first anniversary last week.

“We’re making it easier for Victorian women to get the care they need,” she said.

“We know regional and rural women love our mobile clinic because it is simple, free and saves them time.”

The Victorian government says its recent spending on women’s care includes a network of 20 women’s health clinics, dedicated Aboriginal-led services, a virtual women’s health clinic and 20 sexual and reproductive health hubs.

For more information on Nina and its services, head to betterhealth.vic.gov.au