The Albanese Labor Government is delivering Australia’s first Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics across all states and territories, including one in Coconut Grove in Darwin.
The 20 national Clinics will provide expert, multidisciplinary services and care for women with endometriosis and pelvic pain.
Endometriosis affects at least 1 in 9 Australian women and can have an extensive, devastating impact on the daily lives of sufferers, with those suffering waiting on average of seven years before diagnosis.
Pelvic pain can be similarly complex and debilitating, with the impact being felt beyond individuals as it is estimated to cost the Australian economy $6 billion a year.
The Government has increased the commitment from 16 to 20 clinics, making specialised, multidisciplinary care available to more women across Australia with at least one clinic in every state and territory and a mix of regional and metropolitan locations.
The Clinics will each receive more than $700,000 over four years, to support hiring specialised staff, including nurse practitioners and allied health professionals, investment in equipment or fit-outs such as pelvic physiotherapy areas, as well as resources, training and development.
Working in existing general practice, the clinics will strengthen what is often the first point of contact in the health system to reduce diagnostic delays and promote early access to multi-disciplinary intervention, care and treatment.
As well as directly helping patients, the clinics will raise awareness of endometriosis and pelvic pain, build professional knowledge and skills in this area, and improve access to information and care pathways.
Patients will be able to access the clinics by booking an appointment at one of the 20 attached clinics.
The Clinics are part of the Albanese Government’s $58.3 million package for endometriosis and pelvic pain, announced in the 2022-23 Budget.
“These Clinics are about providing women with an accessible front door to the care that they need. Gathering expertise under one roof, fostering that knowledge to improve diagnosis and services, having referral pathways in place – these are all crucial elements to getting the support that women need right,” said Ged Kearney, Assistant Minister for Health.
Quotes attributable to Member for Solomon Luke Gosling:
“Debilitating endometriosis and pelvic pain affect thousands of Territory women, and it’s often misdiagnosed or minimised. They deserve to have their concerns be taken seriously with better access to specialised care.
“Women in pain have sometimes had to travel interstate for treatment, so to now have a local clinic that specialises in women’s healthcare is so important.
“I’ve been working for a long time to support raising awareness of endometriosis, and this Albanese Labor Government commitment to the women of the Northern Territory will help alleviate their suffering.
“The recognition of endometriosis and pelvic pain as serious conditions has been a long and hard-fought battle from community advocates. I want to thank them for their tireless efforts.
“We are a government that is committed to improving women’s health and this is a crucial step forward for part of the population that has too long been dismissed.”
