Thursday, 7 March 2024

Ministers statements: women’s health

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Ambulance Services) (14:26): Women’s health is not a niche issue, but for too long it has been treated like one, but not under the Allan Labor government. We are investing $153 million to change the way in which health care for women is delivered in this state, and it is why we conducted our nation-leading survey of women to understand their experiences of health care. Around half of respondents reported that period-related conditions affected their health and wellbeing. A further 30 per cent said conditions such as endo, menopause and chronic pain led to poor mental health. Four in 10 Victorian women are living with chronic pain, and one in three have health conditions that affect their ability to work and/or keep a job.

While these are shocking outcomes, they are no surprise to the women in this chamber. Victorian women have told us they want clinicians to listen, they want to be believed and they want to be diagnosed and treated. They want to get off the merry-go-round of antidepressants and iron infusions. And of course not only have we listened, we are taking action, and it is why we have established the women’s pain inquiry here in Victoria, led by Safer Care Victoria and co-chaired by Professor Sue Matthews from the Women’s and lived experience advocate Fi Macrae. The committee will hand down its report at the end of the year.

To the women and girls of Victoria on the eve of International Women’s Day, I say to you that the Allan Labor government will always stand with you. We are on your side. We want to hear your voices, your experiences. My commitment to the women and girls of Victoria is that we will deliver real outcomes to change the way in which our healthcare needs are treated in this state.