Womens Health Business Case Report

2.7 Stakeholder & Community Support

KEY MESSAGES • Stakeholder consultation of organisations and individuals who refer to Women’s Health Centres indicates that these services are considered an essential part of local health service infrastructure. º 69% of referrers indicated that three-quarters or more of their clients would not be able to access the services they need elsewhere if the local Women’s Health Centre was not available º 30% indicated that the Women’s Health Centre was the only organisation in the local area providing the services that their clients needed º 40% said that other providers in the area were already at capacity, or had extended waitlists • Representatives from NSW Government agencies who refer to Women’s Health Centres rated the quality and appropriateness of service provided as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’, and two-thirds indicated that 75% or more of the clients they refer to Women’s Health Centres would not be able to access the services that they need elsewhere. • All referrer comments highlighted the benefits of the unique Women’s Health Programmodel, service quality, diversity and accessibility and integration with local service systems and communities.

• Consistent themes in feedback fromWomen’s Health Centre clients included: º The service was more effective in meeting the client’s needs than other services that they had accessed in the past with the trauma-informed approach noted as particularly crucial º The service was effective in supporting recovery from complex trauma, particularly the health impacts of domestic and family violence and sexual violence º The women-friendly space offered by the Women’s Health Centre was important in creating a sense of safety for many clients º Services and support provided to clients was effective in identifying and diverting clients from self-harm, helping them to leave abusive relationships, and to address and overcome addictions º Addressing the health impacts of trauma supported clients’ recovery and capacity to engage in family life and employment

2.7.1 Referrers The 90 respondents to the Referrer Survey represented organisations who refer to all 20 Women’s Health Centres across NSW. Services provided by Women’s Health Centres were viewed as essential. • 43% of respondents indicated that most clients that they currently refer would not be able to access the services they need elsewhere if the Women’s Health Centre was not available • 26% of respondents indicated that at least three-quarters of their clients would be similarly unable to access the services they need. • 73% indicated that their clients would be unable to pay a private provider for the services and support they require • 30% indicated that the Women’s Health Centre was the only organisation in the local area providing the services that their clients needed • 40% said that other providers in the area were already at capacity, or had extended waitlists

Stakeholder consultation for this business case included a survey of 90 professionals across Government and non-Government organisations who refer to each of the 20 Women’s Health Centres, along with a small number of follow up interviews. Results of client feedback and satisfaction surveys undertaken by Women’s Health Centres were also reviewed, along with other evidence of community engagement including partnerships and donations. Interviews were also conducted with representatives from the NSW Ministry of Health.

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Women’s Health NSW – October 2022