Women’s Health @ Hawkins celebrated its one-year anniversary this month, with the clinic covering specific women’s health issues from contraception, preconception counselling and antenatal care to pelvic pain, perimenopause and menopause.
Women’s Health @ Hawkins clinical coordinator Dr Monique Kanters said since its inception, the clinic has received over 300 referrals from across the Limestone Coast.
“It is not just for Hawkins’ patients, anyone can self-refer so I am really pleased with the number that we have achieved in our first year,” she said.
“I wanted women to have the best possible quality of care for their women’s health issues in a GP setting.
“It is a known thing that women often feel disenfranchised, they are not getting listened to or getting their pain symptoms taken seriously.
“I just wanted a space for women to realise their issues could be dealt with and they would be taken seriously by a group of GPs that are dedicated and passionate about achieving the best possible outcomes in women’s health.
“We are well on our way there, I am very happy with the results that we have had so far.
“Part of it is educating our GPs to be able to offer the best possible care they can and making links with other allied health professionals in the community so that we can work together as a team to better suit women’s needs.”
Psychologist Dr Monja Human is one of the allied health professionals who works closely with the general practitioners in the clinic to provide quality care and the best outcomes for women’s health.
She supports the doctors in the clinic when a need arises for psychological support pre and post pregnancy.
“People who are living in the country would like a clinic that can address their needs especially when they are vulnerable during pregnancy or post pregnancy as opposed to just travelling to the cities,” she said.
“That is what Women’s Health @ Hawkins is providing for them, they can stay here and have their babies here and also have good quality service and aftercare.
“People are extremely grateful for the centre and the focused care and availability they receive especially during phases where they are quite vulnerable.
“The clinic is trying hard to service a women’s health care gap, Dr Kanters’ drive and leadership is amazing.’’
