More Ballarat women will soon have access to free and comprehensive care and support under the one roof, with five of the Allan Labor Government’s Women’s Health Clinics opening across Victoria from June including one in Ballarat.

Member for Eureka Michaela Settle and Member for Ripon Martha Haylett today officially announced that Ballarat Base Hospital is one of the first five of 20 comprehensive women’s health clinics with others set to open at the Northern Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital, Frankston Hospital and Barwon Health Geelong.

The clinics will remove the barriers women face when trying to access specialist care and deliver more services closer to home.

Services will be delivered by hardworking gynecologists, urologists, specialist nursing and allied health support under the one roof, making it easier for women to access specialist care for conditions including endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), perimenopause and menopause.

Part of the Labor Government’s landmark $153 million women’s health package, five clinics will open every year over the next four years across Victoria – including a culturally safe Aboriginal-led clinic and a mobile Women’s Health Clinic which will visit remote parts of the state.

The announcement coincides with the opening of the Women’s Pain Survey, which is seeking the views of women and girls who have experiences with pain and accessing related services.

Seeking a wide range of views, the survey is also calling on clinicians and healthcare workers to help identify areas where the health system and services can be improved.
The findings will contribute to the ongoing Inquiry into Women’s Pain, adding to the insights from Victoria’s recent nation-leading health report, Listening to Women's Voices. This confirmed what women already know: their health and pain are real and regularly overlooked, with 40 per cent of Victorian women living with chronic pain.

Victoria has a proud track record of working to improve women’s health outcomes – from establishing Victoria’s first clinic for women’s heart health, delivering 11 sexual and reproductive health hubs, and launching the state’s first ever sexual and reproductive health phone line.

The Women’s Pain Survey is now open at engage.vic.gov.au/inquiry-into-womens-pain-survey

Quote attributable to Member for Eureka Michaela Settle

“Ballarat Base Hospital provides exceptional care to our community and the addition of this new clinic bolsters their ability ensuring women in our region have access to the world class care they deserve.”

Quote attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett

“This clinic will provide women in Ballarat and surrounding communities with the specialist care they need without the need for a GP referral and closer to home.”