We are thrilled that 1800 My Options has been funded for another four years.
Calls to 1800 My Options have more than doubled in the past four years. This critical funding will ensure the service can meet rising demand and continue to support the health sector to meet the needs of service seekers—building a more sustainable, responsive system.
We also welcome the Budget’s significant investment in health and wellbeing, with almost a third of the total budget allocated to these measures.
This includes funding to:
- expand free pharmacy consultations, improving access to oral contraceptives and UTI treatment
- support the Royal Women’s Hospital Clinical Champions project to strengthen training and capacity in the SRH sector
- prevent and respond to family violence, including by extending Respect Victoria’s primary prevention leadership and the Connecting Communities program in multicultural and multifaith communities
- support the mental health and broader health sector workforces, including building the capability of rural nurses and midwives
- invest in perinatal mental health services
- support LGBTIQA+ mental health and wellbeing, including care for trans and gender-diverse young people
The Victorian Budget’s investment in cost-of-living relief and healthcare will benefit women and gender-diverse people, who are more likely to face financial hardship and barriers to accessing care.
Women’s Health Victoria looks forward to continuing to work with the Victorian Government to support the Women’s Health and Wellbeing Program, including the rollout of the sexual and reproductive health hubs and women’s health clinics, as well as the Government’s response to the Inquiry into Women’s Pain.