The State Government has announced that they will continue to support the health services that families in the Mitchell Shire and City of Whittlesea rely on, by delivering much-needed upgrades to the Northern Hospital.
Released last Tuesday, the 2024/25 State Budget will allow for a new emergency department and a paediatrics emergency department to be established, as well as a mental health, alcohol, and other drugs hub, and additional inpatient beds to be provided.
Making history with Victoria’s biggest multi-year investment in the healthcare system, Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage said that the investment would give hospitals peace of mind that they had the long-term support that they required.
“This budget is making targeted investments that help families in Yan Yean,” she said.
“From new and upgraded schools to world-class hospitals, we’re ensuring our growing community has the services it deserves.”
In April, Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas announced that a comprehensive women’s health clinic would open at the Northern Hospital.
With a focus on removing barriers women often face when trying to access healthcare services, the clinic would provide specialist care for conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), perimenopause, and menopause.
Since coming into government, Ms Kathage noted that Victoria’s public hospitals now employ over 5,000 more doctors and 13,000 more nurses, with the new clinic only adding to this figure with gynaecologists, urologists, specialist nursing and allied health support to be employed.
Expanding upon efforts to improve access to care for women at an event last Thursday, Ms Kathage invited women from the community to share their stories of chronic pain and partake in the State Government’s Women’s Pain Inquiry.
Held in Doreen, the event gave government representatives insight into how to improve services for women.
The Women’s Pain Inquiry follows the results of a survey undertaken by the State Government which showed that almost 50 per cent of all women are impacted by issues relating to periods, pregnancy, birth and postnatal care, or conditions like endometriosis.
Although 60 per cent of participants reported having had positive healthcare interactions, almost one in three said that they had experienced insensitive and disrespectful practitioners who had left them feeling dismissed and unheard.
The inquiry will examine systemic issues and solutions and hear directly from women across Victoria, including those in the Mitchell Shire and City of Whittlesea.
The inquiry will add to insights from Victoria’s recent nation-leading health report, Listening To Women’s Voice, which confirmed that women’s health and pain are regularly overlooked.
With 40 per cent of Victorian women living with chronic pain, Ms Kathage said that it was important the government recognised the realities women face.
“Listening to women’s experiences of pain being overlooked and misdiagnosed was really hard. But it was so important for those stories to be told, because they will help shape the government’s improvements to women’s health services. By sharing their stories of pain, they are making it easier for other women.”
She emphasised that Victoria already had a proud track record of working to improve women’s health outcomes, from establishing Victoria’s first clinic for women’s heart health, to delivering 11 sexual and reproductive health hubs – including one in South Morang – and launching the state’s first ever sexual and reproductive health phone line.
“I am proud to be a member of a government that listens to women, that places women’s health at the forefront, and delivers relevant and effective outcomes for women – like our new Comprehensive Women’s Health Clinic at the Northern Hospital.”
The submissions and survey close on July 31, 2024.
