Public fertility service opens in Geelong soon

PUBLIC fertility care is arriving imminently in the Geelong region, with the state’s fourth regional satellite service to be run by Barwon Health.

Temporarily located in Barwon Health’s outpatients building in the University Hospital Geelong precinct, the satellite will offer eligible patients a range of services including specialist consultations, diagnostic tests and ultrasounds.

The Victorian government says the Geelong satellite – which joins similar satellites in Warrnambool, Bendigo and Mildura – will alleviate additional stress by cutting unnecessary travel time and could save Victorians as much as $10,000.

Access to public fertility care is available through a GP or specialist referral, which is sent to the Royal Women’s Hospital, which then organises eligible patients to receive treatment at their closest health service.

Gynaecological and fertility specialist Dr Prue Johnstone said the satellite would open within the next couple of weeks, with patients able to head to Melbourne for treatment in February 2024.

She said the Geelong satellite would have access to somewhere between 80-100 cycles of fertility treatment each year.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas officially opened the Geelong satellite during a visit on Thursday last week alongside Lara MP Ella George and Bellarine MP Alison Marchant, and Barwon Health board chair Lisa Neville.

Ms Thomas said the new facility was part of her government’s commitment to deliver public fertility services for all Victorians.

She said people would still need to travel for particularly complex procedures and treatments, including the retrieval of eggs and transfer of embryos, but the rest of the care could be delivered at the satellites.

“We know that for many people, the joy of starting or growing a family can be a really challenging journey for them, and what our government wants to make sure is where you live or the price of fertility services should not be a factor in the decisions that you make.

“Public fertility is an absolute gamechanger for women and families, particularly in rural and regional Victoria.”

She said public fertility services including IVF had been running in the state for a year, with the first public fertility baby, Felix, born on October 17 at the Royal Women’s Hospital.

“We anticipate many, many more babies to follow.”