The Allan Labor Government's virtual women's health clinic is now open to all Victorian women and girls of any age - offering free, expert medical advice, treatment and care for a range of women's health needs.
Led by specialist nurses, the clinic can provide medical advice remotely via telehealth, either online or on the phone - including endometriosis and pelvic pain care, menstrual health, cervical screening, menopause care, breast health care and abortion.
Women in regional and remote Victoria will benefit the most - with services like contraception and abortion traditionally harder to access due to distance from major towns.
Operated in partnership with community health organisation EACH, it will reduce the barriers and delays in accessing care, helping to avoid detrimental impacts on a woman's health, their quality of life and the ability to participate in school and employment.
The team of nurses will deliver an initial health assessment and some treatment, while patients can also be connected with a GP or get referred to a relevant health practitioner as close to home as possible.
In addition to treating immediate health needs, referrals can also be made to various mental health and wellbeing, alcohol and other drugs, and family violence community support services.
It comes as the Labor Government's mobile women's health clinic continues to travel across the state delivering care to women in regional and remote communities.
Operated by BreastScreen Victoria, the van is making free healthcare more accessible for all women and girls, with a focus on improving access to care for Aboriginal women.
It supports a range of women's health needs, including sexual and reproductive health advice, clinical services and referrals for medical abortion, contraception, and referrals to other necessary specialists.
All services are delivered by an experienced nurse or nurse practitioner who work to build connections with women, their community and local health services.
Both the mobile and virtual clinics are part of the landmark $153 million women's health package transforming the way women's healthcare is delivered in Victoria.
The virtual women's clinic is available Monday to Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm, by calling 1300 003 224 or via a simple, secure online form on the EACH website: each.com.au/services/virtual-womens-health-clinic.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"We're making it easier for all women and girls to get the specific care and advice they need no matter where they live - and we have made it free."
"There is no denying the gender health gap is real and it disproportionately affects women living in regional or remote areas of Victoria - our new virtual women's clinic is helping to breakdown this and other barriers to care."
