EACH, a community health organization, has been selected to lead the Victorian Government’s latest initiative aimed at improving health outcomes for women, especially those in regional and remote areas. On February 5th, the state announced a free virtual women’s health clinic, which will offer expanded access to essential services, including care for endometriosis, pelvic pain, menstrual health, cervical screening, menopause, breast health, and abortion services.
Natalie Sullivan, CEO of EACH, expressed the organization’s excitement to establish the first statewide service of its kind. She emphasized that many barriers, such as geography, cost, caring responsibilities, and cultural stigma, prevent women, girls, and gender-diverse people from accessing the healthcare they need. The virtual clinic is designed to address these gaps by providing remote, culturally-safe, and free care, ensuring broader access to health services.
Scheduled for launch by mid-year, the clinic will offer remote consultations with specialist nurses, general practitioners (GPs), and allied health professionals who have expertise in women’s and sexual health. The service aims to break down barriers, particularly for women in rural and remote areas of Victoria, where access to services like contraception and abortion is limited due to distance.
Sullivan explained that dedicated services, both locally and virtually, have a profound impact on improving women’s health outcomes. For example, the organization’s existing Endometriosis and Pain Clinic has shown how transformative accessible care can be for women, impacting not only their health but their entire lives.
The virtual clinic will provide initial health assessments and treatments, and patients may be referred to a local GP or specialist for further care. Additionally, the clinic will triage needs to ensure that individuals are connected to mental health services, community support for family violence, and alcohol and drug services when necessary.
The initiative has received positive support from experts in women’s health, including Professor Danielle Mazza AM, chief investigator and director of the SPHERE Centre at Monash University. Professor Mazza praised the government’s commitment to improving access to women’s health services in Victoria, noting the impact of both the mobile and virtual clinics on women’s healthcare access.
The virtual clinic is part of the $153 million women’s health package aimed at closing the gender health gap, particularly for women in underserved areas. Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas also underscored the importance of these services, highlighting that access to abortion care is healthcare, and the government remains committed to expanding healthcare access to all Victorian women, regardless of their location.
This virtual clinic initiative builds on previous efforts, including the Mobile Women’s Health Clinic, which is already providing free healthcare services to women in rural and regional Victoria. Together, these services represent a comprehensive approach to ensuring that women across the state have access to the healthcare they deserve.
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