Women’s health focus for service expansion

A GEELONG women’s health clinic would be expanded to five days a week, and a new one established in Ballarat, as part of a seventy-one-million-dollar statewide Labor election pledge to improve the sector.

Daniel Andrews visited University Hospital Geelong on Tuesday to announce the spend, headlined by $58 million to build 20 women’s health clinics that would be “a one-stop shop for women needing treatment or advice on issues from contraception to pelvic pain.”

Barwon Health currently runs a clinic for one day a week but would have significantly increased capacity if Labor wins the coming state election.

“For too long, too many women haven’t been listened to and their health issues have been ignored. This plan will transform women’s healthcare, ensuring every Victorian woman can access the support and treatment they need and deserve,” Mr Andrews said.

“Some of the most common conditions experienced by women go undiagnosed and untreated – tragically, sometimes until it’s too late.

“This is about making sure women have the care, and peace of mind, they need.”

The expanded services aim to improve support for those suffering from conditions including endometriosis, which affects an estimated 200,000 women, some of whom who wait seven years on average for a diagnosis.

The initiative would include consultation for Aboriginal-led health clinics to provide tailored support, while the new services would also involve “culturally-appropriate care” for women from diverse backgrounds.

Also part of the pledge is $2 million for scholarships to recruit 100 new specialists to staff the clinics, $5.3 million for a mobile clinic to reach remote areas and $6.4 million to establish nine more sexual and reproductive health hubs to support contraception and pregnancy services.

Ballarat and Geelong are two of the eight regional health services that would have a new women’s health clinic, with a further 12 slated for Melbourne.

Tuesday’s announcement follows an earlier Labor election commitment for a $500 million women’s and children hospital at Barwon Health’s Geelong site.

On the weekend, Labor also promised $23 million for 1500 period product dispensers in public places across Victoria.