Oscar Parry
A specialised women’s health clinic will be opened at Kyneton Health.
The state government announced on Wednesday, October 2 that Kyneton Health, run by Central Highlands Rural Health, is one of 20 locations selected for a free and specialised women’s health clinic, funded through the government’s women’s health package.
Each of the clinics will provide access to specialist nursing and allied health support for conditions including endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pelvic pain, incontinence, perimenopause, and menopause.
Central Highlands Rural Health chief executive Maree Cuddihy said that the organisation was “really pleased” with the announcement of the new centre.
“Having a specific focus and really listening to women and spending time with women across various illnesses has not necessarily had as much focus in the past,” Ms Cuddihy said.
“We have previously been selected and just have established a sexual health and reproductive hub … so we’re in the process of setting that up. Then the opportunity was made available to us to nominate interest in establishing a [women’s health] clinic, and we were keen to do that,” she said.
“A hospital such as Kyneton Health can do it well and safely, and we have a range of specialists who are keen to work with us in establishing the model.”
She said that the organisation hopes to open the new women’s health clinic by the end of this year.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said that the centres will offer broad services.
“We know the gender health gap is real – that is why we’re offering these important services under one roof to give Victorian women easier access to the wide-ranging specialist treatments they so desperately need,” Ms Thomas said.
The announcement also listed Goulburn Valley Health in Shepparton, Western Health Sunshine Hospital in St Albans, Eastern Health in Blackburn South, and Monash Health in Clayton as hospitals that will receive new women’s health clinics.
Women have their say on top health concerns, page 12.
