Women in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven experiencing severe or complex symptoms of menopause and perimenopause now have improved access to specialist care, following the launch of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Menopause Service.
This forms part of the work undertaken by the Minns Labor Government to increase access to health care in the region and ensure people can get the support they need and deserve.
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Menopause Service aims to improve health outcomes by providing safe, high-quality, evidence-based care close to home for women experiencing complex and severe menopause symptoms, and is linked with the nursing and medically-led menopause hub at The Royal Hospital for Women.
This initiative supports the Minns Labor Government's commitment to strengthening women's health services by delivering timely, specialised care closer to home, reducing the need for women to travel long distances during a significant stage of life.
The expansion of menopause services to the Illawarra and Shoalhaven community builds on the work already done by the Minns Labor Government to rebuild health services in the region following twelve years of neglect under the Liberals, including:
- Making permanent the over 1,100 nurses the former Liberal Government planned to sack - 61 of whom worked to care for South Coast communities.
- Recruiting an additional 43 FTE nurses for Shellharbour and Shoalhaven Hospitals' emergency departments to ensure Safe Staffing Levels - one of the most significant reforms in the way our hospitals have been staffed in decades.
- Passing legislation to ban any future privatisation of acute public hospitals, so the Liberals can never again sell them off.
- Abolishing the Liberal Government's wages cap to deliver better pay and conditions to essential workers, while the Liberal Party refuse to rule out its reintroduction.
- Reaching an interim agreement to pay public sector nurses more, which means 56,000 FTE
- nurses - including 3,097 FTE in Illawarra Shoalhaven will now see:
- An increase to night shift penalties;
- Work-life balance and conditions improvements; and
- An interim pay rise
Clinic appointments are offered across multiple locations to ensure accessibility throughout the region, including:
- Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital and Shoalhaven Women's Health Centre
- Nowra Sexual Health Clinic at Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital
- Kiama Integrated Primary and Community Health Centre
- Ulladulla Community Health
Telehealth options are also available.
For more information visit Illawarra Shoalhaven Menopause Service.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Regional Health and Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan
Park:
"This new referral service in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven is a game-changer for women's health in
the region.
"By working in partnership with the Royal Hospital for Women, we're ensuring that women experiencing severe or complex menopause symptoms can receive expert care, with a dedicated pathway to access the right help, at the right time, in the right place.
"I know how passionate Katelin is about women's health, and I'm confident that if elected, she will be a strong advocate inside the Minns Labor Government for the expansion of services like this in the region."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Jodie Harrison:
"The NSW Government is continuing to boost support for women's health and wellbeing.
"Menopause management can be complex. This new menopause service, as part of a wider network that includes four Menopause Hubs, makes sure women in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven have the crucial support they need if they are experiencing severe menopause symptoms.
"This is another way we're making sure women get the important holistic healthcare they need.
"Katelin and I share a passion for women's health, and I know that a vote for her will be a vote for better services delivered by a member of the Minns Labor Government who will not take no for an answer when it comes to her community."
Quotes attributable to Labor candidate for Kiama Katelin McInerney:
"This service is about equity, dignity, and responding to women who've asked for better support, it's an important step towards more comprehensive women's health.
"For too long, menopause has been under-recognised, this service acknowledges the complexity and individuality of each woman's journey."
Quotes attributable to Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) Menopause Referral Service Coordinator, Georgia Watson:
"Having a dedicated menopause service helps break down barriers to accessing expert care in what can already be a challenging time in this person's life.
"Our goal is to make sure every person who accesses this service is supported. Whether it's through physiotherapy, virtual consultations, or connection with local services, we're here to walk alongside them."
