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Coordinators
of women's health services from across Queensland gathered in Gladstone in
June 2009 to network, share ideas and form the Women’s Health Services
Alliance (WHSA). Alliance members include the Statewide and regional
services funded fully or predominantly by
the Queensland
Government to provide
women’s health services in Queensland through the Public
Health Outcomes Funding Agreement (PHOFA) with the Federal Government.
They provide essential services of community support, health promotion,
early intervention and prevention, and are utilised by marginalised
communities and vulnerable women and families who may not access other
health services.
This agreement will enable
members to collaborate on various projects, develop cooperative responses to
key issues in State and Federal policy, and provide a statewide capacity to
take full advantage of strengths in regional delivery, on issues affecting
women’s health in Queensland.
As Secretariat QWHN acts as
an initial contact point, assists with communication and correspondence, and
provides a link to the national level as a member
of the Australian Women’s Health Network.
Alliance
membership comprises:
Statewide services
Regional services
All services are equal members of
the Alliance.
National links
The Women’s Health Services
Alliance is committed to maintaining active participation on the
Australian Women’s Health Network (AWHN), and seeks at all times to have at
least one WHSAQ representative on the AWHN National Committee.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the
WHSAQ is:
- To advocate and lobby as an
expert body for women’s health issues in Queensland
- To be a voice to government on
women’s health policy
- To maintain and develop the
future viability as key stakeholders in delivery of community based and/or
community-focused women’s health services in Queensland
- To facilitate networking and
support for members
PRINCIPLES
The WHSA is based on principles of
social justice and an understanding of a gendered approach to health or
health within a social context, as endorsed by governments throughout
Australia. This endorsement was originally expressed in the National Women’s
Health Policy (1989), Advancing Women’s Health in Australia.
This view recognises that:
- health is determined by a broad
range of social, environmental, economic and biological factors
- differences in health status and
health objectives are linked to gender, age, socio-economic status,
ethnicity, disability, location and environment, racism, sex-role
stereotyping, gender inequality and discrimination, ageism, sexuality and
sexual preferences
- health promotion, disease
prevention, equity of access to appropriate and affordable services and
strengthening the primary health care system are necessary, along with
high quality illness treatment services
- information, consultation,
advocacy and community development are important elements of the health
process.
In accordance with these principles,
the member organisations of the WHSAQ provide services which:
- encompass all of women's
lifespan, and reflect women's various roles in Australian society, not
just their reproductive role
- promote the participation of
women in debate and decision making about health issues, their own health
care, health service policy, planning, delivery and evaluation
- recognise women's rights, as
health care consumers, to be treated with dignity, in an environment which
provides for privacy, informed consent, confidentiality and safety
- acknowledge that informed
decisions about health and health care require accessible information,
which is appropriately targeted for different socio-economic, educational
and cultural groups
- use existing data, research and
policy concerning women's health, as well as incorporating women's views
about their own health and the best strategies to address their health
needs, in service planning and development
- provide appropriate women's
health care to women in local communities, within a state-wide, co-ordinated
approach
- ensure equity and accessibility
of services without financial, cultural, geographic and or other barriers.
- ensure effective management and
operation of women's health centres by women, for women
- provide a broad range of services
and strategies within a preventive and holistic framework, which:
- are provided by women, for women
- value women's own knowledge and
experience
- facilitate the sharing of women's
skills, knowledge and experience
- link women's individual
experience and health needs to the social and cultural context of women's
lives
- empower women
- challenge sex-role stereotyping,
gender discrimination, racism and homophobia which affect health
- increase the accessibility,
sensitivity and acceptability of health services for women
- relate to identified health
priorities at the local and state level.
Women's
Health Services Alliance Qld Members
Women's Health Queensland Wide
Street Address
165
Gregory Terrace, Spring Hill Q 4000.
Postal Address
PO Box 665, Spring Hill QLD 4004
Admin and library: (07) 3839
9962
Health Information Line: (07) 3839 9988
Toll Free: (outside Brisbane) 1800 017 676
Fax: (07) 3831 7214
Email: admin@womhealth.org.au
Geographical coverage/catchment
area
Queensland
Client age range
All ages
Hours of service
The Centre is open 9.00am-5.00pm Monday,
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 12.30pm-5.00pm on Wednesday.
Cost
Main activities
-
Health Information Line
-
Library
-
Resources
-
Website
-
Health Education
Postal Address
PO Box 1855, Thuringowa BC QLD 4817
Telephone (07) 4789 0665
Fax (07) 4789 0647
Email
coordinator@qwhn.asn.au
Website
www.qwhn.asn.au
Geographical coverage/catchment
area
Queensland
Client age range
All ages
Hours of service
Part-time worker: Mon: 8.00am-5.00pm;
Tues: 8.00am-12.00pm; Thurs: 8.00am-12.30pm.
Cost
For membership details please visit our
website.
Main activities
Queensland
Women’s Health Network raises
awareness of women's health and well-being issues across Queensland through
provision of:
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Printed information – 3 Newsletter editions per
year on specific identified women’s health issues.
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Digital information – A Facebook page and website
provide 24-hour access to information, links, resources, newsletters;
plus service and contact information for women’s health services
throughout Queensland.
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Face-to-face health forums – Facilitating
Regional Women’s Health Forums in remote/Indigenous communities in
collaboration with local women and agencies, and other services.
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Email Bulletins – Members receive regular email
bulletins on upcoming state and national conferences, seminars, events,
research, and training opportunities.
Children By Choice
Street Address
237 Lutwyche Road ,
Windsor (Brisbane)
Postal Address
PO Box 2005,
Windsor, QLD 4030
Telephone (07) 3357
5570
1800 177 725 Freecall within Queensland, outside
of Brisbane
Fax (07)
3857 6246
Email
info@childrenbychoice.org.au
Website
www.childrenbychoice.org.au
Geographical coverage/catchment
area
Client age range
Women of
reproductive age
Hours of service
Monday – Friday,
9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost
Counselling - Free
Education and Training – fees vary
Main activities
-
Children by Choice is pro-choice and
provides referrals for all unplanned pregnancy options - abortion,
adoption and parenting
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Unplanned pregnancy counselling and
information services
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School-based and youth education
activities on issues relating to unplanned pregnancy
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Skills training for professionals in
unplanned pregnancy counselling
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Advocacy on issues relating to
women’s reproductive health choices
Mackay Women's Centre
Street
Address
14 Victoria Street ,
Mackay
Postal
Address
PO Box 444, Mackay, QLD 4740
Telephone (07) 49531788
Fax (07) 49530521
Email
admin@mackaywomenscentre.com.au
Website
www.mackaywomenscentre.com.au
Geographical coverage/catchment
area
Mackay
Client age range
All ages
Hours of service
Monday – Friday,
9.00am – 2.00pm
Cost
Any costs for
activities are advertised
Main activities
-
Health information and referral
-
Newsletter
-
Support and advocacy
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Pregnancy & Parenting Support Program
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Activities for women as advertised in
newsletter (craft groups, meditation, educational classes, personal
development)
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Free lending library
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Maternity Nurse Practitioner (free
pre-natal and newborn health checks)
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Free computer and internet access
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Emergency Relief (food vouchers,
nappies, baby needs)
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Non-clinical crisis counseling
Gympie & District
Women's Health Centre
Street Address
21 Alfred Street ,
Gympie QLD 4570
Postal Address
21 Alfred Street , Gympie QLD 4570
Telephone (07) 5483
6588
Fax (07) 5483 6379
Email
gwhealth@spiderweb.com.au
Website
Under construction
Geographical coverage/catchment
area
Gympie & Cooloola
Region
Client age range
13 years and over
Hours of service
Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday and Friday, 9.00am – 4.00pm
Cost
Free
Main activities
-
Counselling
-
Group work
-
Health information and referral
-
Support groups
-
Education
-
Health promotion
-
Visiting health professionals
-
Free lending library
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Access to computer with internet
North Queensland
Combined Women's Services
Street
Address
50–52 Patrick St,
Aitkenvale (Townsville)
Postal
Address
50 Patrick St , Aitkenvale QLD 4812
Telephone (07) 4775 7555
Fax (07) 47792959
Email
nqcws@thewomenscentre.org.au
Website
www.thewomenscentre.org.au
Geographical coverage/catchment
area
Townsville/Thuringowa,
Ingham, Burdekin, Charters Towers and surrounds
Client age range
15 years and over
Hours of service
24 hr phone line to
women in crisis – including sexual assault
Monday-Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Thursday, 9am-1pm and 5pm-8.30pm
Cost
Free
Main activities
-
Counselling
-
Group work
-
Health information and referral
-
Education – Community and Centre
based
-
Health promotion
-
Visiting health professionals
-
Emergency relief
-
Referral to women’s shelter or other
accommodation
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Sexual assault support and counselling
Wide Bay Women's Health Centre
Inc
Street
Address
8 Truro Street ,
Torquay
Postal
Address
PO Box 5003, Torquay, QLD 4655
Telephone (07) 4125 5788
Fax (07) 4125 5911
Email
wbwhc@bigpond.net.au
Website
To be advised
Geographical coverage/catchment
area
Wide Bay region
Client age range
All ages, but mainly
13 – 80+
Hours of service
Monday to Thursday,
9.00am – 5.00pm
Friday, 9.00am – 2.00pm (and closed all day on the last Friday of the month)
Cost
Most services are
free, or at a minimal cost
Main activities
-
Counselling
-
Group work
-
Health information and referral
-
Education
-
Health promotion
-
Visiting health professionals
-
Pap Smear clinic (monthly)
-
Meditation and relaxation group
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Yoga (Monday evenings), $8.00 per
session
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Tai Chi (Thursday evenings), $8.00
per session
Logan Women's Health and
Wellbeing Centre
Street
Address
2/18 Carol Avenue,
Springwood Qld 4127
Postal
Address
PO Box 670,
Springwood Qld 4127
Telephone (07) 3808 9233
Fax (07) 3808 9657
Email
admin@loganmwomen.com.au
Website
www.loganwomen.com.au
Geographical coverage/catchment
area
To access the
counselling service, clients must live or work in Logan or Beenleigh area.
Other services have no geographical catchment criteria
Client age range
18 years and over
Hours of service
Monday
– Friday 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Cost
Prices for courses
and workshops are kept to a minimum. Doctor’s appointments are bulkbilled
and initial counselling appointments are free with a small fee for ongoing
counselling.
Main activities
-
Counselling
-
Emotional and mental health programs
-
Health information and resources
-
Female doctors
-
Self help groups and social groups
-
Personal development and training
courses
-
Natural therapies
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Physical wellbeing classes
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Volunteering
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Rooms for hire
Women's Health Centre
& Gladstone Sexual Assault Service
Street
Address
9 Derby Street,
South Gladstone
Postal
Address
PO Box 8219, South Gladstone , QLD 4680
Telephone (07) 4979 1456
Fax (07) 4979 1901
Email
info@gladstonewomenshealth.org.au
Website
www.gladstonewomenshealth.org.au
Geographical coverage/catchment
area
Gladstone , Boyne
Island, Tannum Sands, Calliope and Mt Larcom,
Miriam Vale, Agnes Water and 1770.
Client gender and age range
Womens Health Services:
15 years and over
Sexual Assault Services: Men, Women and Children any age
Hours of service
Monday to Thursday 9am – 4:30pm Closed Friday
Cost
Majority of services
free
Main activities
-
Face to face and telephone
counselling
-
Group work
-
Health information and referral
-
Education
-
Health promotion
-
Visiting health professionals
-
Support and advocacy
-
Community education
-
Venue and support for self help
groups
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Rape crisis and sexual assault
support
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Lending library
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Young Parents Program
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Post Natal Disorders Support Service
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Family nutritional program
Women's Health Information & Referral Service (Rockhampton)
Street
Address
225 Bolsover Street
, Rockhampton
Postal
Address
Box 6395 , CQMC, QLD 4702
Telephone (07) 4922 6585
1800 017 382 (rural freecall)
Fax (07) 4922 2477
Email
info@womenshealthrockhampton.com
Website
www.womenshealthrockhampton.com
Geographical coverage/catchment
area
Central Queensland
Client age range
13 years and over
Hours of service
Monday to Friday,
9.00am – 5.00pm
Some groups are run out of hours as required
Cost
All services are free and confidential
Main activities
The Women's Health Information
and Referral Service offer three main service types:
- Women's Health & Wellbeing
Service
- Rockhampton Rape, Incest &
Sexual Violence Centre (RRISC)
- Domestic & Family Violence
Court Assistance Service
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Counselling
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Library
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Group work
-
Health information and referral
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Education
-
Health promotion
-
Training options for service
providers
-
Community action on women’s health
issues
West Moreton Women's Health
Service
Street
Address
Level 2, Ipswich
City Square, Ipswich
Postal
Address
PO Box 878 , Ipswich, QLD 4305
Telephone (07) 3812 0138
1800 065 454 (rural freecall)
(07) 3202 2766 (24 Hour Acute Sexual Assault Line)
Fax (07) 3812 0139
Email
womenshealth@health.qld.gov.au
Website
N/A
Geographical coverage/catchment
area
Ipswich City to
Gailes and Springfield, and rural shires of Boonah, Esk and Laidley
Client age range
14 years and over
Hours of service
Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday and Friday, 8.00am – 4.30pm
Thursday, 8.00am – 2.00pm
After hours programs by negotiation
Cost
Free
Main activities
-
Counselling including for survivors
of childhood sexual abuse
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24 hour on-call Acute Sexual Assault
Program
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Extensive rural program – groups and
counselling
-
Groups – therapeutic, educational,
support and social
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Lending and reference library
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