Womens Health Business Case Report

Women’s Health NSW Business Case – Appendix B

8. CUMBERLAND WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTRE

NAME Cumberland Women’s Health Centre CUMBERLAND 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 1988, we are committed to providing professional, affordable and holistic gender informed services that promote the health, wellbeing and empowerment of women.

ABN

85 240 770 606

WEBSITE

https://cwhc.org.au

FINANCIAL REPORTS Local Health District Primary LGA(s) Serviced

https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/d7db0355-39af-e811-a963-000d3ad24077/documents/

Western Sydney LHD

Cumberland LGA

NSW Electorate(s)

Granville, Auburn, Parramatta

Federal Electorate(s)

McMahon, Parramatta, Blaxland

Site(s)

Harris Park

Local Population & Health Indicators Cumberland LGA has seen 16.6% population growth over the last decade, and this is projected to continue. The LGA is relatively socioeconomically disadvantaged, and has a higher proportion of one parent families and women on low incomes than the state average. Cumberland is also one of the most culturally diverse LGAs in NSW; more than 65% of women speak a language other than English and over 15% of women have limited proficiency in spoken English, indicating the need for an interpreter or bi-lingual worker when attending health care services. In the Western Sydney LHD, 19.6% of women report high, or very high, levels of psychological distress and more than 46% of adults do not engage in sufficient physical activity to maintain long-term health. Although reported rates of domestic and family violence are below average, evidence suggests that this is significantly under-reported in culturally diverse communities. For example, in mid-2022, the Bankstown Women’s Health Centre undertook a community survey of 550 women in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA (a similarly highly culturally diverse area) to better understand domestic and family violence. Over 50% of respondents indicated that they would not report the violence. Analysis of the Centre’s data also revealed that 90% of women who initially present to the centre with mental health and other socioeconomic issues, subsequently disclose domestic and family violence or other sexual violence. Responding to Emerging and Unmet Needs Cumberland Women’s Health Centre currently provides health services and support to over 1,100 women each year through the Women’s Health Program. 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 to meet community needs. The Centre has extensive community connections and a team of bi-lingual staff who are known and trusted by the women and organisations in this culturally diverse community. The level of investment proposed in both Scenarios 2 and 3 would enable the Centre to continue its current level of service delivery more sustainably, and ensure strong health outcomes for women.

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

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