Bridget Archer (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise tonight to speak in relation to health care. In particular, I welcome the government's announcements in recent days about their women's health initiatives. These are really important initiatives, delivering $573 million for women's health: cheaper and better access to oral health contraceptive pills, IUDs and birth-control implants; new Medicare support for women experiencing menopause and perimenopause; new menopause hormone therapies added to the PBS; and more endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics.

As we heard statements this morning from both the assistant minister and the shadow minister in this space, these are bipartisan commitments. They are long overdue commitments to women's health in this country, and something I have felt very passionately about for some time and have advocated for in the last term of this parliament. Through my role of co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Women's Health, along with my friend the late Peta Murphy, we have championed many of these issues in this term of parliament. I've heard from advocates and patients who have experienced longstanding challenges in relation to the many issues that women face over the course of their lifetimes in terms of reproductive health, sexual health and menopause health. I really welcome these announcements and they have been welcomed by local practitioners in my community as well.

This also gives me an opportunity to talk about the innovative holistic GP service that exists in my community, called the Bubble. The Bubble is a specialist GP clinic that provides women's health services, including sexual and reproductive health care, prenatal, postnatal and infant care for women and their babies, mental health care, women's physio, and menopause care and support. Founded by Dr Natasha Vavrek in 2021, the clinic has won many awards, and Dr Vavrek is highly respected in Tasmania as a leader in women's health. They have recently opened a new clinic in Hobart, bringing a statewide presence to women's health and a holistic approach to women's health in Tasmania. They're doing something that has, historically, been quite difficult to achieve in Tasmania, but they don't have any trouble attracting GPs. They don't have any difficulty in retaining those GPs. It's a women-centred women-led practice leading the way in an innovative way in Tasmania.

These health announcements have the opportunity to build on that innovation that's occurring within local communities like mine. I welcome it, but I would really like to put on record and encourage the government—or whomever may be in government going forward—to keep an eye on these things and to consider the implementation and how they are working, and be open to that, as they roll out, particularly on the ground in communities like mine. In rural and regional communities there can be some additional complexities when it comes to the implementation of some of these programs, so I urge that the government continue to focus on that and to pay attention to that implementation as it rolls through. The Bubble have said publicly that they welcome these announcements. They'd like to see things go further, but they do say that some of these things will be gamechanging for women who have had to put up with symptoms—particularly in the menopause space, because they can't afford access to some of those medications. Again, let's keep an eye on it and make sure that access to those medications is available and that we don't have supply shortages as it rolls out.

While we're acknowledging the great work that has been done, I acknowledge the work that the government has done in relation to urgent care clinics. The urgent care clinic in Launceston has welcomed many people. Again, while I'm paying credit where it is due, I do want to make the case that we cannot take our eye off the ball and suggest that urgent care is a substitute for good primary care practice. What we are seeing in Tasmania is people accessing care through an urgent care clinic because there's nothing else available. So I think we really need to continue to keep our focus on primary health care and make sure that people have access to that service as well.

Tracey Roberts (Pearce, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today, I would like to address a need in my community of Yanchep in the federal seat of Pearce, and that is the establishment of a Medicare urgent care clinic. As our population is expected to double by 2030, the demand for accessible health care services is becoming increasingly urgent. Currently, Yanchep residents face long travel times to access essential medical services. The nearest facilities often require a lengthy journey, which can be particularly challenging for families with young children or elderly members. An urgent care clinic would provide immediate care for non-life-threatening conditions without the need for an appointment. This means that, when a child has a fever or an adult has anything from a minor injury to something a bit more serious, they can receive timely treatment close to home.

Accessing health care quickly is a fundamental right that we should ensure for all community members, and the Albanese Labor government is fully aware of this and committed to addressing it. As a breast cancer survivor, I understand firsthand the importance of accessible health care. My journey through cancer treatment has made me acutely aware of the challenges patients face when seeking timely medical attention. This experience has driven my commitment to improve healthcare accessibility in our local communities.

Living in the northern suburbs of Perth and having to travel the long distance daily to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth for my cancer treatment, I identified the need for local treatment options and played an intrinsic part in establishing Shenton House in Joondalup with Sue Dash, a local resident, business owner and fellow cancer survivor, as well as our oncologist, Dr Nigel Spry. This centre now provides vital imaging and oncology services in support of patients in the northern suburbs and has become a local beacon of hope for many.

Establishing an urgent care clinic will work in parallel with the need for a hospital in Yanchep. It is an essential first step. This clinic would serve as a critical bridge in our healthcare system, addressing immediate medical needs while planning for a future hospital. By providing urgent care services now, we can alleviate the pressure on existing healthcare facilities—bearing in mind the time it would take to construct a hospital. I also worked diligently with Professor Cobie Rudd from the Edith Cowan University as we identified the important need for additional local medical facilities. The ECU Health Centre in Yanchep East was established and opened in August last year. I look forward to turning the sod for the next stage next week on 20 February 2025.

We must also consider the financial implications of healthcare access. Many families face unexpected medical expenses that strain their budget. The Medicare urgent care clinics bulk-bill, making them a more affordable option for many residents. In addition to convenience and cost-effectiveness, Medicare urgent care clinics provide a broad range of services. They can manage everything from sprains and fractures to infections and asthma attacks. Many clinics are equipped with onsite laboratories and pharmacies, allowing patients to receive comprehensive care in one location. This is the kind of service and efficiency we need in Yanchep.

I was very pleased to successfully advocate for the Medicare urgent care clinic in Clarkson, which has clearly demonstrated that urgent care clinics alleviate pressure on our hospital emergency departments. That was done shortly after I was elected to this position in 2022. By offering an alternative for non-emergency situations, we can ensure that our emergency rooms remain available for those who truly require critical care.

In conclusion, establishing a Medicare urgent clinic in Yanchep is not merely a convenience; it is a necessity for our growing community. It promises accessible, cost-effective health care whilst alleviating pressure on existing facilities and enhancing public health outcomes. By investing in this initiative now, we are taking the crucial first step towards building a future where every resident has access to quality health care when they need it the most, whilst also paving the way for the provision of a hospital in Yanchep that will clearly serve our community's long-term needs in what is one of the largest and fastest growing areas in Australia.