Labor candidate for Ovens Valley Zuvele Leschen has announced that a re-elected Labor government would establish a women’s health clinic in Wangaratta.
“North East Health in Wangaratta is one of the 20 sites designated for such a clinic,” Mrs Leschen said.
The Women’s Health Clinic would provide integrated and multi-disciplinary care, specialising in areas such as:
- Contraception and pregnancy choices;
- Endometriosis;
- Pelvic pain; and
- Menopause complications.
It will operate five days per week with a mix of staff — such as a pelvic pain nurse, physiotherapist, psychologist and/or a pain consultant — as well as specialists who operate out of the clinic such as gynaecologists, urologists and gastroenterologists.
“Patients will be able to be referred to the clinics from GPs and other specialists,” Mrs Leschen said.
“But there will also be a walk-in service for women who need it — so they won’t need a referral and there won’t be a co-payment.
“Too often, women suffer health problems in silence, often leaving them too late to be treated effectively.”
“Facilities such as the one proposed for North East Health will provide women with access to expert advice when they need it.”