NSW Government supporting women through increasing funding for women’s health centres

The NSW Government is boosting funding for the State’s 20 women’s health centres in its first Budget, delivering on its election commitment to improve access to healthcare for women.

The Minister for Health Ryan Park and the Minister for Women Jodie Harrison today announced the 2023-24 NSW Budget will allocate an additional $34.3 million for the Women’s Health Centre Program over the next four years.

The State’s 20 women’s health centres provide tailored healthcare, supporting vulnerable women with their physical and mental health, sexual and reproductive health, as well as preventative classes, events and support groups.

The Women’s Health Centre Program provides face-to-face support to more than 50,000 women across NSW each year – predominantly vulnerable and at-risk women.

These centres are vital in providing a safe place for women who might otherwise fall through the cracks and are critical in removing barriers to health care by providing women the care they need in their own communities.

The new investment will mean centres are able to:

• Increase staff numbers
• Put downward pressure on waitlists for counselling appointments
• Offer healthcare and counselling services to more women
• Adapt services to emerging demographic trends and population growth
• Adapt services to address the complexity of presenting health issues.

Locations with centres that will benefit include Hunter, Bankstown, Blacktown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Liverpool and Penrith, as well as the Central Coast, Illawarra, Lismore, Shoalhaven and South Coast.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to rebuilding the essential health services our communities deserve and rebuilding an engaged, capable and supported workforce.

The Minns Labor Government is making careful and responsible decisions to address the holes left in the budget by the former government so we can fund the healthcare services women rely on.