Reproductive and sexual health services will become a permanent fixture in Brewarrina and Walgett, with Family Planning NSW forming a partnership with local medical services to hold fortnightly clinics from this week.

Brewarrina Aboriginal Medical Service (BAMS) and Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Limited (WAMS) will both host the family planning clinics, where additional doctors and registered nurses will attend beginning this February. 

The project is tasked with expanding the services offered to women in the community.

WAMS CEO Christine Corby OAM said the clinics enhance services that have existed for 35 years. 

Walgett AMS CEO Christine Corby OAM

“We want our women to receive the very best healthcare. When the AMS’s and Family Planning NSW come together, we know we have women’s health experts bringing care to our community for a whole range of women’s business, including contraception, monthlies and cervical screening,” Mrs Corby said.

Family Planning NSW Regional Operations Manager Sarah Dowe said that they chose the area as a priority for improving access to health. 

“We really believe in making sure our services are reaching the communities that need our care the most. We are proud to be working with both BAMS and WAMS to deliver local culturally appropriate care to women and girls in areas. We know that finding a doctor or nurse with specialised reproductive and sexual health training can be challenging,” Ms Dowe said. 

“Family Planning NSW, BAMS and WAMS share the same goal – to ensure women and girls everywhere have equal access to high quality health services, regardless of where they live,” Ms Dowe said.

The fortnightly clinics will offer cervical screening tests, breast checks, testing for sexually transmissible infections and providing contraception. 

They will also be crucial in preventing long distances of travel for women trying to access health care, who would normally need to travel to Dubbo. Alternatively, they had a women’s health nurse who would visit every six weeks, but that was often cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. 

BAMS Chief Operation Manager Katrina Ward said that Over the three years that the health services have funding for the clinic, they would try to upskill local staff. 

Brewarrina AMS Chief Operation Manager Katrina Ward

“If we don’t get refunded for it, then we still have the option of making the service sustainable through utilising our local staff,” Ms Ward said. 

Ms Ward believes that the increased access will be instrumental in raising the local health standard. 

“Generally, people are going and seeing a doctor after the fact when they’ve already got the condition. We’re trying to do all that preventative nursing as well, so doing regular screening and educating young kids,” Ms Ward said. 

The first clinics at Walgett will take place from February 16th to 18th, with clinics beginning at Brewarrina on February 21st.