Womens Health Business Case Report

Women’s Health NSW Business Case – Appendix B

19. WAGGA WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTRE

NAME Wagga Women’s Health Centre WAGGA 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 1978, we provide a health care service that is accessible, without financial and cultural barriers. We support women to make informed choices about their own health. lives and wellbeing.

ABN

53 869 197 957

WEBSITE

https://waggawomen.org.au

FINANCIAL REPORTS Local Health District Primary LGA(s) Serviced

https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/d066a1d8-2daf-e811-a963-000d3ad244fd/documents/

Murrumbidgee LHD Wagga Wagga LGA

NSW Electorate

Wagga Wagga

Federal Electorate

Riverina

Site(s)

Wagga Wagga

Local Population & Health Indicators Women in the Wagga Wagga LGA, while socio-economically comparable with NSW overall, experience high rates of both domestic and family violence and sexual assault. Reported rates of domestic and family violence are 1.75 times the NSW state average and have increased by 4.8% over the last three years, resulting in high rates of hospitalisations. Similarly, high rates of sexual assault in the area have increased by 10.5% over the same period. 4.2% of women experience three or more chronic and long-term health conditions, with options for effective coordinated treatment more limited in this regional area. In the Murrumbidgee LHD, women experience relatively high levels of psychological distress, along with both mental health related emergency presentations and hospitalisation for intentional self-harm. More than two-thirds of women are overweight or obese. Responding to Emerging and Unmet Needs Wagga Women’s Health Centre currently provides health services and support to over 1600 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 by the Centre to meet community needs. Enhanced 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 extensive waitlists of women who are experiencing mental illness, and trauma related to domestic and family violence and sexual assault; and • Increase intake and assessment capacity to accept referrals and develop appropriate treatment plans for women.

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

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