Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
BENDIGO will become home to one of the state’s newest sexual and reproductive health hubs.
A family planning hub will be established at Bendigo Community Health Services to help increase women’s access to timely, affordable, and community-based advice.
The regional city is one of two locations secured for the centres, the second of which is in Melbourne’s west.
Plans for another six hubs are in the works, three of which will be in regional Victoria.
The centres will be complemented by a pregnancy support help line – the state’s first.
Expected to be fully operational by early 2018, the telephone service will be established and operated by Women’s Health Victoria.
Story continues below post.
Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy, expected the centres and help line would make a real difference.
“For too long women’s sexual and reproductive health issues have been neglected,” Ms Hennessy said.
“Women in Bendigo and right across the state will be able to get the timely expert advice they need, without the stigma.”
BCHS chief executive officer Kim Sykes said the organisation would work with the state government to finalise plans for the hub to ensure women could benefit from the expanded services as soon as possible.
A Women’s Health Clinic already operates from its Eaglehawk and Bendigo sites.
“The hub will allow us to help more women, which is fantastic for our community,” Ms Sykes said.
“Women of all ages will have access to a full range of sexual and reproductive services empowering them to make informed decisions on their health and wellbeing.”
Story continues below post.
Both the centres and the help line were inspired by Victoria’s first women’s sexual and reproductive health plan.
The 28-page document, launched in March, identified opportunities to increase knowledge and awareness of factors affecting fertility, and access to fertility control services.
It also highlighted a need for early diagnosis, treatment and management of reproductive health issues such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome and menopause; and of sexually transmissible infections.
The state government has invested $6.6 million in achieving the key priorities outlined for 2017-20.
Thursday’s announcement coincides with Women’s Health Week.
It follows Women’s Health Loddon Mallee executive officer Tricia Currie’s observation that access remains one of the greatest barriers to women’s sexual and reproductive health.
“For Women’s Health Week, I am encouraging all women in Bendigo to treat their sexual and reproductive health as a top priority,” Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan, said.
Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards, said it was vital women in Bendigo and the region could access the services they needed and deserved to improve their sexual and reproductive health, closer to home.