Labor’s landmark Inquiry into Women’s Pain heard from over 13,000 women and girls, revealing experiences of medical bias, sexism and dismissal.
While there are exemplary models of care in Victoria, the Inquiry demonstrated that it is not everyone’s experience.
The pain and experiences of women and girls must not only be heard but acted on.
The Carroll Labor Government is taking this seriously, today launching the Victorian Women’s Pain Standard.
The Australian-first initiative sets clear expectations for how health services recognise, assess and respond to pain.
The expectation is that care should be consistent and high quality, regardless of where a woman lives in Victoria.
It means Victorian women can have greater confidence they will be heard and believed when seeking care for pain.
Created alongside clinicians, experts and everyday Victorian women, the Standard is guided by four key principles:
- Women must be taken seriously and believed when discussing their pain
- Women must be listened to and supported to ask questions and express their concerns
- Women must be respected as partners in decisions about their body, treatment and care
- Women must be given choices and practical support to manage their pain safely and effectively.
The Standard recognises the expertise of health professionals and provides a basis for learning and improvement.
It will be embedded at all public health services, including Labor’s 20 Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs and 20 Women’s Health Clinics.
This is only one part of the work underway to improve women’s health care in Victoria following the Inquiry.
Labor is taking decisive action to support Victorian women and girls with free and accessible care closer to home.
Backed by a $153 million investment, women and girls continue to access key services across the state.
This includes through the hubs, virtual and mobile clinics and a dedicated Aboriginal women’s health clinic.
Under a One Nation Liberal Coalition, this progress will be wound back and critical services on the chopping block.
Their $40 billion cuts plan will only make life harder for all Victorian women and girls.
As stated by Minister for Health Ingrid Stitt
“Women must be heard, believed and treated with respect when seeking care. It’s as simple as that.”
“Only Labor will make sure women’s pain is recognised, responded to and treated appropriately.”
“We know One Nation want to wind back abortion rights – under a Coalition with Jess Wilson’s Liberals, the future of women’s health care is under serious threat.”
