South Coast women now have access to perimenopause and menopause health services with the expansion of the highly successful South Eastern NSW Centre for Menopause, Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain.
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips and the Albanese Labor Government have delivered additional funding to extend the service which provides expert, multidisciplinary care for women and girls living with endometriosis and pelvic pain, as well as perimenopause and menopause.
“The clinic, at the Milton Medical Centre, will be expanded to provide specialised service two days a week, supporting women of all ages,” Mrs Phillips said.
“The Milton women’s health workers told me that menopause support was needed locally, so I’m really pleased to have delivered this expanded service.
“Doctor Katie Macartney and Specialist Women’s Health Nurse Susan Wilford are so passionate about women’s health, and they take time to really listen and validate women’s concerns.
“It’s fantastic that they can now offer more services to even more women locally.”
Mrs Phillips said the expansion of services, was part of the Albanese Labor Government’s landmark Women’s Health Package, which is investing almost $800 million to deliver improved health care and access for women and girls across the country.
“We’re helping more women and girls access an earlier diagnosis, improved access to pain management and referral pathways to other health care providers,” she said.
“For too long, women experiencing endometriosis and pelvic pain, as well as perimenopause and menopause symptoms, have faced delays, uncertainty and lack of support.
“This clinic will literally change lives by helping women and girls get the compassionate care, specialised treatment and answers they need and deserve.”
COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN CEO Prudence Buist said, while many GPs offered care for women’s conditions, having the specialised clinic in Milton provided an additional option for those dealing with often-debilitating issues.
“As part of the service, a specialist nurse plays a central role in coordinating support and helping patients navigate what can often be a complex and overwhelming health system. The clinic also works alongside the patient’s usual GP,” she said.
Ms Buist said people living with these conditions often required a holistic approach over an extended period of time.
The South Eastern NSW Centre for Menopause, Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain clinic will help connect patients with local diagnostic, allied health and specialist services, both on and off site, ensuring treatment is connected, coordinated and centred around the patient’s individual needs.
General Practitioner Dr Katie Macartney said menopause and perimenopause was a time of life which could be “very disruptive for women”.
“It is exciting for Milton Medical Centre to be able to provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary service for women of South Eastern NSW to help with symptoms and challenges presented at this time of life,” Dr Macartney said.
The endo clinic operates on Tuesdays, while the new menopause clinic will be open on Mondays providing access to holistic multidisciplinary care with a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist (on-site on Tuesdays), as well as access to resources and information for patients, developed by a multidisciplinary team.
Appointments will be available in-person for people who live within two hours, or via telehealth for those who are more than two hours away.
The clinic will also provide opportunities for local primary care clinicians, including nurses and allied health professionals, to increase their knowledge and skills to support diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, pelvic pain, perimenopause and menopause.
The South Eastern NSW Centre for Menopause, Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain clinic accepts both GP referrals and self-referrals via email: endo@miltonmedical.com.au or phone: 02 4455 5755.
