One year on: Virtual Women's Health Clinic connects more women with the care they need

The Virtual Women's Health Clinic has helped hundreds of women and girls access free healthcare in its first year of operation, connecting them with expert support and advice.

Since its launch, the statewide service has supported over 850 Victorian women and girls through phone and video appointments, helping women access timely care without the need to travel long distances or face lengthy wait times for appointments.

With free appointments and no referral required, the service is helping women access sexual and reproductive healthcare, as well as support for some of the most common and complex health conditions affecting women.

Over its first year, the most common reason women accessed the service was for medical abortion, with over 300 clients supported with safe and non-judgemental care. The clinic also delivered more than 250 appointments for menopause and perimenopause care, more than 150 appointments for pelvic pain and endometriosis care and supported more than 100 women with contraception advice and prescriptions, including long-acting reversible contraception options.

Women also accessed the Virtual Women's Health Clinic for a range of other health issues including sexual health testing, menstrual health, cervical screening and breast health care.

In particular, the clinic has played an important role in improving access to care for women living in rural and regional Victoria, connecting them with healthcare from home or anywhere – and reducing the burden of travel.

One year on, the Virtual Women's Health Clinic continues to make quality women’s healthcare just a click or phone call away, ensuring more Victorian women and girls get the care and support they need, when they need it – no matter where they live.

The Virtual Women’s Health Clinic is delivered as part of the Women’s Health and Wellbeing Program, transforming the way women’s health issues are treated in Victoria. The $153.9 million package over four years also includes the delivery of 20 Women’s Health Clinics in public hospitals, an expanded network of Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs based in community health services, a dedicated Aboriginal Women’s Health Clinic, and Nina – the Mobile Women’s Health Clinic.

For more information, see Virtual Women’s Health Clinic on the Better Health Channel.