Womens Health Business Case Report

CASE FOR CHANGE

2.1.1 The Women’s Health Program The Women’s Health Program is a unique, integrated primary health care service model for women. The program provides evidence-based interventions to address both physical and mental health needs, as well as the health impacts of domestic and family violence and sexual violence on women and children, and a range of social determinants of health. The program is delivered by the community-based Women’s Health sector in NSWwhich operates through a network of 20 local, independently governed and administered not for profit organisations - ‘Women’s Health Centres’. Established in metro, regional and rural communities across NSW, Women’s Health Centres have been providing these essential health care services, health education and support to women for over 40 years. Women’s Health organisations are members of Women’s Health NSW, a member-governed peak body which provides leadership, coordination, training, representation and support for the sector. Women’s Health NSW has designated Board representation from the Metro, Outer Metro, Rural and Specialist women’s health organisations in the network. Women’s Health Centres receive both Government, and non-Government funding including donations and in-kind support from local businesses and community members. However, their primary source of funding is the Women’s Health Program grant from NSW Health. The Women’s Health Program was first funded by the Federal Government in 1974 and handed over to state governments in 1981. The current Women’s Health Program – now funded through a designated Ministerially Approved Grant (MAG) in NSW - was established in 1986. The total Women’s Health Program grant is currently $10.56 million (2022-23). NSW Health administers the Women’s Health Program grant through Local Health Districts (LHD) via a funding agreement with each Women’s Health Centre that falls within their jurisdiction. The generic NSW Health funding agreement reflecting the Women’s Health Programmodel and service components, is adapted by each LHD to reflect identified health needs in their local regions.

2.1 The challenge facing Women’s Health Centres in NSW

KEY MESSAGES • The Women’s Health Program is a unique, integrated primary health care service model for women, delivered by a network of 20 community-based Women’s Health Centres across NSW. • The program provides evidence-based interventions to address both physical and mental health needs, as well as the health impacts of domestic and family violence and sexual violence on women and children, and a range of social determinants of health. • The Women’s Health Program grant provided by NSW Health, has not seen a real increase since 1986, despite major economic and social changes, and structural adjustments in the health sector over this period. • The funding structure and resourcing for the Women’s Health Program currently reflects the expectations for a 1980’s era community- based health service. • The Women’s Health sector as a whole is no longer sustainable under current arrangements and has now reached a crisis point. • Women’s Health Centres are running unsustainable operating deficits, and are being forced to make skilled mental health, clinical and health education staff redundant and/or reduce services. • Without additional investment, many Women’s Health Centres will be forced to close, or substantially reduce services in the next 2 years. • This Business Case presents a detailed proposal for increased investment to ensure the sustainability of the Women’s Health Program and the well-established, community-based Women’s Health Centre infrastructure.

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Women’s Health NSW – October 2022