The Allan Labor Government is making sure more women across suburban and regional Victoria can access the sexual and reproductive healthcare they need and deserve - as we continue to drive down the gender health gap.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced the locations of the final six Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs - with three to be established in regional Victoria.
These hubs join the current network of 14 hubs that are already delivering free or low-cost care including contraception, medical abortion, referral for surgical abortion and sexual health testing and treatment.
The latest locations were chosen based on where there was a high demand for women's healthcare and a lack of services including:
Central Highlands Rural Health - Kyneton
Western Health - Melton
IPC Health - Wyndham Vale
DPV Health - Broadmeadows
Grampians Health - Horsham and Stawell
East Grampians Health - Ararat
Hubs were selected following extensive sector consultation and are expected to help at least 4,000 more girls and women access sexual and reproductive health services every year.
Part of a $153 million women's health package, the hubs will transform the way women's health issues are treated - breaking down barriers women and girls face in accessing affordable and comprehensive care.
The workforce supporting the hubs will also benefit from our Women's Health Scholarship program, helping to address existing skills and knowledge shortages when it comes to women's health.
More than 100 scholarships are being delivered - offering chances to upskill in areas like IUD insertion, sexual and reproductive health, pelvic physio training, menopause and PCOS.
The scholarships also fund training to promote cultural safety and remove existing barriers for First Nations women, women from migrant and refugee backgrounds and LGBTIQA+ communities.
The Labor Government's nation-leading Inquiry into Women's Pain also continues to hear directly from women and girls about their experience of pain and accessing care.
A public submission and survey process is currently underway with close to 9,000 responses to date - Victorian women are encouraged to ensure their voice is heard before it closes in just over a month, on 31 July.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"The gender health gap is real - and it needs to be addressed. With these hubs, we'll help make sure more women can get the affordable and accessible care they need."
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"All Victorian women should feel safe and supported when accessing the care they need, including medical and surgical abortion - that is exactly what these new hubs will do."
