The Women’s Health Centre Southern Highlands at Mittagong has been selected as the site of one of 20 Federal Government-funded Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics to be established across Australia.
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney announced the clinic sites, with at least one clinic in every state and territory and at a mix of regional and metropolitan locations, this morning (Wednesday, 22 March).
The selected sites will be funded to provide expert, multidisciplinary services and care for women with endometriosis and pelvic pain after demonstrating existing expertise in women’s health.
- 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.
The clinics will each receive more than $700,000 over four years to support hiring specialised staff, including nurse practitioners and allied health professionals, investment in equipment or fit-outs such as pelvic physiotherapy areas, as well as resources, training and development.
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.
Minister Kearney said the clinics were about providing women with an accessible front door to the care they need.
“Gathering expertise under one roof, fostering that knowledge to improve diagnosis and services, having referral pathways in place – these are all crucial elements to getting the support that women need right,” she said.
“Too many women suffer for years with what we know can be debilitating conditions. They deserve to have their concerns be taken seriously with better access to specialised care.”
Full list of clinic sites