Mobile nursing service to enhance women’s health services in southwest Queensland

Women’s health services in southwest Queensland have been boosted by the resumption of a outreach women’s health service based in Charleville and Mitchell.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson said Queensland Health had recruited two specialist nurses to resume a Mobile Women’s Health Service from the two communities.

“This is an important service for women living in these rural and remote communities,” Mr Robertson said.

“It will strengthen existing local health services by giving women in southwest Queensland access to specialist women’s health care services.

“These services include screening for cervical cancer, family planning and healthy lifestyle information.”

The Mobile Women’s Health Service is a network of 15 nurses based in 14 locations throughout the Queensland.

The service covers Cairns, Charleville, Dalby, Longreach, Mackay, Maryborough, Mount Isa, Murgon / Goomeri, Rockhampton, Mitchell, Thursday Island, Toowoomba, Townsville and Weipa.

Mr Robertson said the Charleville and Mitchell-based nurses would travel around 27,500 kilometres a year to provide 140 clinics to 900 women in 15 locations.

“These dedicated nurses meet the needs of thousands of Queensland women over vast distances,” he said.

“Each year, the 15 Mobile Women’s Health Service nurses travel a total of around 250,000 kilometres by road, sea and air to visit 180 communities.

“They deliver 1,350 clinics to 8000 women each year, delivering vital services which aren’t always easy to access for women living in rural and remote regions.”

Mr Robertson said nurses worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners in some locations to meet the needs of local Indigenous women.

MEDIA: Martin Philip 3225 2680