GPs across the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury are being encouraged to put themselves forward to be one of the Albanese Government’s new specialist endometriosis clinics to support women suffering the condition.
Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, said the move to specialist clinics will start to improve the quality of treatment women with pelvic pain and endometriosis symptoms receive.
“One in 9 women in Australia are affected by endometriosis; there is currently no cure and it’s incredibly painful. It is often so debilitating that it affects their quality of life,” Ms Templeman said.
“These GP-led clinics will offer more focused support for diagnosis and treatment from multidisciplinary care teams in primary healthcare settings. This is a $16.4 million investment to make it easier for endo sufferers to get the treatment they so desperately need.
“Thousands of Australian women live through shocking amounts of pain and sadly too many of them are told that this pain is normal, and they just need to push through it.
“I know this issue is close to the hearts of many women in Macquarie. In March this year I organised a fundraiser with women in the Hawkesbury to raise awareness and funds for endometriosis research, so I couldn’t be prouder of this announcement. This initiative honours the stories they shared.”
Ms Templeman said a second initiative addresses one of the biggest fears young women have when they suffer endo and that is the effect on their fertility.
“A further $25.5 million has been committed to add a new pelvic MRI scan to the Medicare Benefits Scheme to investigate conditions that affect fertility.
“For the 16,000 women a year who are experiencing infertility or are having trouble conceiving, these pelvic MRI scans can give them the hope and answers they need.”
Throughout November the Government, with the support of Primary Health Networks, will identify General Practices with strong experience in managing women’s health, endometriosis, and pain management to become specialised clinics.
