The state government has opened three reproductive health clinics in regional Victoria in hopes of improving equitable access to abortions and contraceptives.
The clinics will provide screening for endometriosis, menopause and polycystic ovarian syndrome, as well as consultations on hormonal contraceptives.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas visited Morwell, where one of the clinics will operate out of Latrobe Community Health Service.
"Part of the hubs' service model is to provide access to a medical termination, which is able to be employed up to nine weeks of pregnancy," she said.
The government is spending $10.5 million on the network of 11 clinics across the state, some of which will go to extending the operating hours of the existing eight clinics.
"This has been part of our government's commitment since 2017, but we're very aware of the impact and concern that the [Roe v. Wade] decision in the US has meant for so many women around the world," she said.
Sinking hearts replaced by hope
Latrobe Community Health Service sexual health nurse Catherine Bateman worked as a statewide hotline referral service operator before becoming one of the nurses for the new clinic.
"Whenever we got a call from the Latrobe Valley, our hearts would sink because we knew that people would have to travel, probably to Melbourne," she said.
She said accessing care in the local community would also help to break down lingering stigma and shame around accessing abortion.
"Having healthcare close to home always makes you feel like this is a normal part of life, which it is — one quarter to one third of women will have an abortion in their lifetime," she said.
