Mrs PHILLIPS (Gilmore) (11:47): Endometriosis, pelvic pain and sexual health have for too long been taboo topics, but the incredible team at the south-eastern endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic in Milton is changing that.
The clinic was one of the first of its kind to open its doors in September 2023, and for more than two years has been providing women from Helensburgh to the Victorian border with expert multidisciplinary services and care for endometriosis and pelvic pain.
Not only is the team helping women of all ages, many of whom have lived with intense pelvic pain for many years, even decades; they're also educating our younger generation. Women's health nurse Susan Wilford has been travelling across the south-east of New South Wales visiting high schools at Nowra, Moruya, Batemans Bay and Ulladulla as well as community groups including CWAs and VIEW clubs.
During her visits, Susan has provided free, comprehensive education about pelvic pain, sexual health and endometriosis to more than 4,000 women and girls, equipping them with knowledge about what is healthy, what is normal and when to seek help if required.
I'm always delighted to visit the clinic and to hear so many success stories from women who have accessed free support, often after years of pain. I'm so proud the Albanese Labor government is taking women's health seriously after decades of neglect, and we're making specialised, multidisciplinary care available to more women in regional areas.
Our landmark almost $800 million women's health package means more clinics like the one in Milton can provide specialised staff, including nurse practitioners and allied health professionals, with equipment, resources and training to manage and treat complex and debilitating disorders.
Endometriosis affects around one in seven Australian women and has an extensive, devastating impact on their daily lives, with those suffering waiting around seven years before diagnosis. I'm really proud that 11 additional endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics have opened, taking the network to 33 nationwide. The new clinics have also started provided perimenopause and menopause care.
The Milton clinic is opening the front door to give women access to the health care they need, and the best part is that it is free under Medicare.
A year on from us announcing the groundbreaking women's health package, the Albanese Labor government continues to deliver more choice, better access and more affordable health care for women. How great it is that in just one year more than 700,000 women have accessed more than 2.3 million cheaper scripts for new contraceptives, menopausal hormone therapies and endometriosis treatments listed on the PBS.
More than 71,000 women have now received a Medicare funded menopause health assessment, and 383,000 women have saved more than $53 million on
menopausal hormone therapies. Women undergoing IVF are receiving earlier and more affordable access to fertility treatment, with more than 46,000 women with specific low levels of reproductive hormones accessing $273,00 scripts in the past year.
From 1 January women have made further savings with PBS medicines now just $25 and the concessional co-payment remaining at $7.70.
Labor's historic investment in Medicare is helping women and their families with more bulk-billing practices, including 32 in my electorate of Gilmore. Our 50 new Medicare urgent care clinics, including the Batemans Bay clinic and the brand new Nowra clinic, opening on Thursday, will offer free walk-in care day and night.
Our $1 billion injection for mental health services, including 31 new and upgraded Medicare mental health centres and 20 youth specialist centres are providing free, accessible services for women of all ages. As a mum of four, I know just how important it is that our 20 perinatal mental health clinics now offer free psychological support for new and expectant parents.
Finally I want to highlight the wonderful work being done by Waminda, the South Coast's women's health and wellbeing Aboriginal corporation, and their birthing on country centre of excellence. I'm proud to have secured $22.5 million from the government for this, and they're doing a magnificent job.
