Latrobe Health Services and Jean Hailes for Women's Health are excited to announce a new partnership that will see their women’s health service brought to Gippsland, Victoria available at Maryvale Private Hospital.
Latrobe Health Services CEO, Ian Whitehead, said the introduction of the services was funded by Latrobe Health to provide better access to women’s health services to members and the Gippsland community.
“As a local, member-owned health fund, we want to give back to our local community and members who have supported us for many years,” said Mr. Whitehead.
“Jean Hailes for Women's Health is widely regarded as Australia’s pre-eminent not-for-profit organisation focused on improving women’s health across Australia through every life stage.”
“Together we recognised there is a strong need to provide better access to women’s health services in Gippsland. Every working day, three Gippsland women travel outside of the region to attend a Jean Hailes Clinic – over five years this equates to 15,000 hours of travel time for Gippsland women.”
“By providing a Jean Hailes service from Maryvale Private Hospital we’re offering another alternative to Gippslanders to access top-quality services locally” continued Mr. Whitehead.
The service will begin as a telehealth service delivered from a consulting suite at Maryvale Private Hospital in Morwell, Victoria. A trained nurse will be available to help answer any questions and provide the next steps as well as Jean Hailes resources to women attending.
Based on the success of the telehealth service, the activity will be reviewed to assess further possible services on offer in the region.
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health CEO Janet Michelmore AO said that Jean Hailes is excited to partner in delivering services in Gippsland.
“Jean Hailes and Latrobe Health Services share the common goal of creating a healthier future for all women by providing regional and rural communities access to specialised women’s health services,” said Ms. Michelmore.
“We’re looking forward to establishing a new service in the area to the women, girls and gender-diverse people in the Gippsland region.”
“Gippsland women currently represent six percent of all patients attending a Jean Hailes Women’s Health Clinic in metropolitan Melbourne, so we can see a real need for a local service to help support these women.”
Jean Hailes Medical Director Dr. Elizabeth Farrell AM is thrilled to be extending services into the Gippsland area. Originally from Fish Creek, Dr. Farrell understands the challenges for locals accessing specialised health care.
“We know that women in regional areas have less access to some specialised health care. We hope this is one way to start bridging the gap.”
The Gippsland Primary Health Network reported in 2019 that women’s sexual and reproductive conditions are underdiagnosed and subsequently remain untreated. Specifically, the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis in Gippsland, is half the expected rate of the rest of the Victorian population.
Lee Garwood, CEO of Maryvale Private Hospital, said he was thrilled to be welcoming the service to the hospital and to be able to support the women of Gippsland.
“At Maryvale Private Hospital we are passionate about providing the best services locally to Gippslanders,” said Mr. Garwood. “And to be able to add a women’s health service of Jean Hailes’ calibre is fantastic for Gippsland women and will complement our team of experienced gynaecologists who operate at the hospital.”
“The team of nurses trained to assist with this program are thrilled to be able to offer this to their community, they are proud to be involved and excited for the opportunities it will bring to the women and gender diverse people of Gippsland”
The telehealth service will begin on 3 November and be delivered from Maryvale Private Hospital, 286 Maryvale Road, Morwell.
Bookings can be made now via phone at 03 9562 7555.
For more information visit www.jeanhailes.org.au/jean-hailes-at-maryvale