Filling the gap in menopause care
Women across Melbourne's south-east now have access to a new free menopause clinic at Sandringham Hospital, bringing specialist medical and allied health care together under one roof to address a long-standing gap in women’s healthcare.
Recognising that menopause is more than a medical issue, the Menopause Connecting Care Clinic takes a holistic approach to addressing the impact on women's physical health, ability to work and care for loved ones, mental wellbeing and quality of life.
"Women have told us they often struggle to find the support, information and treatment they need during perimenopause and postmenopause, and this clinic addresses that gap,” said endocrinologist and head of the service, Prof Susan Davis.
“Many women navigate these challenging hormonal changes while balancing work, caring responsibilities and other everyday demands.
“The clinic has been designed to recognise those broader impacts and provide support tailored to individual needs, delivered by a team of medical and allied health experts.”
The service is based in Sandringham Hospital’s new Outpatient Clinic and includes specialists from The Alfred.
It brings together a multidisciplinary team including endocrinologists, GPs with expertise in menopause and perimenopause, a nurse practitioner, physiotherapist, dietitian and psychologist, providing comprehensive care under one roof.
"This clinic provides a more connected approach to care, enabling women to access the expertise when they most need it,” Prof Davis said.
The Menopause Connecting Care Clinic is part of the Victorian Government's Women's Health Program and is one of 20 women's health clinics being established across Victoria to improve access to free specialist care, officially launched by Parliamentary Secretary Pauline Richards MP.
"This is an important step forward in supporting women through perimenopause and postmenopause,“ Prof Davis said.
For more information click here. Women can access the clinic via referral from their GP.
