Monday, 14 April 2025

The Allan Labor Government is making sure women in Northern Victoria have access to free, comprehensive care and support under the one roof – with more women’s health clinics across the state now open and more on the way.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes has announced Mildura Base Hospital is one of the next five clinic locations to be delivered in regional Victoria – part of a four-year plan to open a total of 20 specialised clinics.

The clinic will be open by the end of the year, with other new locations announced for Bendigo Health, Latrobe Regional Hospital (Traralgon), Northeast Health (Wangaratta), and Southwest Health (Warrnambool).

The clinic will transform how women in Mildura receive healthcare – removing the barriers many women face when trying to access specialist care by delivering more services closer to home.

Services are delivered by hardworking health professionals including gynecologists, urologists, specialist GPs, specialist nurses and allied health support – all under the one roof, for medical abortion, conditions including pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, prolapse and incontinence, contraception and menopause services.

The first five clinics began services last year at Barwon Health (Geelong), Grampians Health (Ballarat, Stawell and Horsham), Peninsula Health (Frankston), Northern Health (Epping), and Royal Women's Hospital.

While the second group of clinics are now opening at Western Health (Sunshine Hospital), Central Highlands Rural Health (Kyneton), Eastern Health (Blackburn), Goulburn Valley Health (Shepparton), and Monash Health.

The clinics are part of the Labor Government’s landmark $153 million women’s health package that is transforming the way care is delivered in Victoria – and includes a mobile women’s health clinic, Aboriginal-led clinic and virtual women’s health clinic.

The package has also expanded the sexual and reproductive health hub network to 20 locations, including 12 in regional locations as well as increased access to laparoscopies for endometriosis and associated conditions, and providing scholarships for more than 150 women's specialists.

For more information, please visit, health.vic.gov.au/public-health/womens-health-wellbeing-program.

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

“The new clinic at Mildura and Wangaratta will improve access to care for women and will help to remove the barriers many women face for different health concerns throughout their life.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas

“For too long women have not been heard when it comes to their health – it’s why we’re making sure every woman in Victoria can access free and comprehensive care, no matter where they live.”

“The third round of women’s health clinics will be a gamechanger for women in regional Victoria, making it easier for them to get the free specialist care they need, closer to home.”