Women's health clinics

Who can use women's health clinics

Women's health clinics are for all women, girls and gender diverse people living in Victoria.

Most services need a referral.

Services available at women's health clinics

All clinic appointments are confidential. Services offered at each clinic vary, but may include:

• acute gynaecology, including women with abnormalities on imaging (for example, ultrasound), acute severe pelvic pain or heavy vaginal bleeding
• general gynaecology including chronic pelvic pain and treatment for heavy periods
• pregnancy options for unplanned pregnancy, including medical abortion and surgical abortion
• colposcopy to examine the vagina and cervix with a magnifying instrument to check for abnormalities
• contraception advice including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) insertion and removal of intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants
• pelvic organ prolapse
• menopause management
• urogynaecology including treatment for pelvic organ prolapse and support for incontinence and continence problems
• vulval dermatology for vulvar skin complaints.

Women's health clinics are located in Victorian public hospitals and health services. The range of specialist services available at each clinic depend on the local healthcare needs.

Some women's health clinics are open on weekdays (between Monday and Friday). Some clinics may run on a specific day and time of the week. Many clinics are closed on weekends or public holidays.

Contact your nearest clinic to find out what they offer and when they are open.

Cost of services

Services offered at women's health clinics are free. Some services may be bulk billed through Medicare.

You may need to pay fees for services you are referred to – these may include medical procedures, medications and diagnostic tests.

How to make an appointment

You usually need a referral to access most services that are provided at women's health clinics. You may be referred by:

• your general practitioner (GP)
• a specialist
• a community-based healthcare provider
• a hospital, including the emergency department or an inpatient unit.

Once the women's health clinic has accepted your referral, the clinic staff will book your appointment. Your appointment will be booked based on the information the referring health professional has provided about your condition, including how urgent it is.

You will receive a text, letter or telephone call from the women's health clinic offering you an appointment.

You may also receive other messages relating to your appointment. For example, some doctors may request that you have special tests completed before your appointment, such as x-ray examinations or blood tests.

Other information you may get from the women's health clinic includes:

• Clinic phone number – to call if you have any questions about your appointment.
• Patient identification number – you may be asked for your patient number when you call the hospital. This helps staff see your appointment history and answer your questions.
• A map – outlining where to find the clinic, transport options, and parking.
• Patient's rights and responsibilities information – explains your rights and responsibilities as a patient attending a specialist clinic. It will include details about the privacy and confidentiality of your health information.
• Telehealth – instructions for booking a telehealth appointment if needed.
• Interpreter information – information about the interpreter service and a number to call if you need an interpreter. Staff will book an interpreter for you. Please check your letter for a timeframe for making interpreter bookings as they can be hard to book at short notice. Interpreters are free.
• Cultural support – information about how to access the hospital's language or disability support, and how to access liaison services to support Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) patients and Aboriginal liaison officers.

It is important that you let the women's health clinic know if you change your address or telephone number so that the clinic can still contact you.

Waiting times for your appointment

You may get an appointment date straightaway, or you might go on a waiting list to get an appointment later.

Waiting times for appointments vary across specialties and women's health clinics.

The women's health clinic will contact you and your referring doctor with information about the outcome of your referral.

If you are worried about your condition while waiting, talk to the doctor who referred you. They may help you manage symptoms, suggest treatments, or contact the clinic if your condition gets worse.

Your local doctor is usually the best person to manage your health until you are seen at the hospital.

In an emergency, dial Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance or go to an emergency department.

Changing or cancelling your appointment

If you need to change or cancel your appointment, call the clinic as soon as you can. This helps others get seen faster.

Staff can find a new appointment for you, although this might mean a longer wait.

If you miss your appointment and do not tell the clinic, you may need a new referral.

Before your appointment

To get ready for your appointment:

• get any test results
• write a list of any medication or supplements you take
• write down questions to ask your doctor, nurse or healthcare team.

What to bring to your appointment

Please bring:

• your appointment letter from the specialist clinic
• any x-rays, scans (CT scan or ultrasound) and test results (like blood tests)
• a list of your current medication
• your Medicare card, your pension card (if you have one) and any other concession cards
• your local GP's (doctor) address and phone number
• any medication or dietary supplements you may need during your visit.

You are welcome to bring a support person.

When you arrive at a women's health clinic

Go to the check-in desk at reception. Staff will confirm your details and may ask to see your Medicare or pension card.

Some hospitals have self-check-in. Follow the instructions in your appointment letter or ask staff for help.

How long your appointment will take

Allow up to 2 hours for your visit.

Arrive 10 minutes before your appointment to allow time to complete any forms.

Even though you get a set time, delays can happen. Staff may need extra time with some patients or may be called to another part of the hospital.

The clinic staff will keep you updated. If you cannot wait, staff can arrange another time for you.

During your appointment

You may see a GP (doctor) or coordination nurse (Clinical Nurse Consultant) before you meet the specialist. This depends on the service you need.

You may have to fill out some forms about your medical history. Everything you share is private.

Find your nearest women's health clinic

There are 5 women's health clinics in metropolitan and regional Victoria.

Five additional women's health clinics will open by mid-2025 at the following locations:

• Central Highlands Rural Health, Kyneton
• Eastern Health, Blackburn South
• Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton
• Monash Health, Clayton
• Western Health, Sunshine

If you speak a language other than English

If you need an interpreter, call TIS National on 13 14 50.

Ask for an interpreter and then ask to be connected to your nearest women's health clinic. You will need to give them the clinic's phone number.

Where to get help

• Your women's health clinic
• Your women’s sexual and reproductive health hub
• Your GP (doctor)
• 1800 My Options – Tel. 1800 696 784 for free and confidential information on contraception, pregnancy options and sexual health
• Sexual Health Victoria
• Jean Hailes for Women's Health
• Maternal and child health line – Tel. 13 22 29
• Your maternal and child health nurse
• Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) 131 450 (24 hours, 7 days) for callers who speak other languages
• The National Relay Service for callers who are d/Deaf, or find it hard to hear or speak to hearing people on the phone