Womens Health Business Case Report

Women’s Health NSW Business Case – Appendix B

6. CENTRAL WEST WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTRE

NAME Central West Women’s Health Centre Incorporated CENTRAL WEST WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTRE is an incorporated association and registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for- profits Commission (ACNC) as a Charity with Public Benevolent Institution status. Established in 1986, we provide a unique, holistic women-centred preventative and treatment approach to health and well-being. We empower women and children of all ages, cultures, sexual orientation and gender identity to make informed choices throughout their lives.

ABN

28 614 767 988

WEBSITE

https://cwwhc.org.au

FINANCIAL REPORTS Local Health District Primary LGA(s) Serviced

https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/f6d308ae-38af-e811-a961-000d3ad24182/documents/

Western NSW LHD

Bathurst Regional LGA

NSW Electorate

Bathurst

Federal Electorate

Calare

Site(s)

Kelso

Local Population & Health Indicators The Bathurst Regional LGA population is projected to grow by almost 16% over the next decade. Women in the LGA experience domestic and family violence at a rate almost double that of the NSW average, which has continued to increase at an alarming rate over the past three years. Reported incidents of sexual assault in the area are also significant and have remained high. Whilst reported rates of psychological distress amongst women in the Western NSW LHD are below average, the district sees high rates of women presenting to emergency for mental health issues, as well as hospitalisations for intentional self-harm, suggesting significant and hidden rates of mental health issues. In addition, rates of hospitalisation for women as a result of domestic and family violence are more than double the state average. Other key indicators of women’s health show that 4.2% of women in Bathurst have three of more chronic, long-term health conditions and more than 63% of women in the LHD are overweight or obese. Responding to Emerging and Unmet Needs Central West Women’s Health Centre currently provides health services and support to over 2500 women each year through the Women’s Health Program. The Centre is the only organisation providing no cost services for disadvantaged women, children and young people in the area and there are few options for making referrals in this regional area. Sustainable investment in the program is reflected in Scenario 1 with a recalibration of costs to deliver currently contracted services and Scenario 2 reflecting the level of services and activities currently being delivered by the Centre to meet community needs. Expanded investment in the Women’s Health Program, envisaged in Scenario 3, would enable the Centre to expand its services and support a greater number of women. In particular, the Centre would seek to: • Expand counselling capacity to address the high demand from women, including young women who are experiencing trauma related to domestic and family violence and sexual assault; • Provide a dedicated emergency assistance and integrated care resource to support women and children with immediate and acute issues impacting on their health such as homelessness, domestic and family violence, financial and legal issues, and food security. Integrated care and support to address the social determinants of health is in high demand and this holistic support increases the effectiveness of other health interventions and improves overall health outcomes for women; • Provide additional therapeutic, health education, skills development and physical activity groups to support women with recovery from domestic and family violence trauma, mental health, managing menopause, and maintaining overall health; and • Offer clinical consultations through a Well Women’s Clinic to help address the current average 6 week wait for access to a female GP in the area.

Women’s Health NSW Business Case – Supplementary Publication: Appendix B

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