Stawell’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub has launched its new referral pathway for intrauterine contraceptive device insertions. 

Working in partnership with Stawell’s operating suite and visiting gynaecologists, the first referral list has now been successfully completed, improving access to timely, local reproductive healthcare for women. 

Grampians Health Sexual and Reproductive Health Stawell clinical nurse consultant Katie Lovett said each patient on the list was referred through the hub. 

“This marks an exciting expansion of women’s health services available locally and demonstrates our commitment to providing specialised care closer to home,” she said. 

“The new weekly service means Stawell women will no longer have to travel to Ballarat for IUD insertions and that will be a big relief for many women in our region. 

“In delivering these procedures at our Stawell campus, patients are able to access high-quality, timely contraceptive care in their local community and free of charge. 

“This not only reduces barriers to care for women living in rural and regional areas but also helps decrease demand on our larger hubs, such as Ballarat. 

“That allows those services to focus on more complex cases and improving access across the wider Grampians Health network. 

“The successful use of our theatre facilities for these procedures also highlights the collaboration across Grampians Health teams to build local capability and expand the range of services available to our community.” 

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