Health professionals across the Western Plains and Far West are being better equipped to manage unintended pregnancies closer to home, following a regional training event held in Dubbo.

Fifty-five GPs, registrars, nurses, pharmacists and medical students attended the Unintended Pregnancy: Pathways in Primary Care education session, delivered by Family Planning Australia in partnership with the Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) and Western NSW Local Health District (WNSW LHD).

While hosted in Dubbo, the training supported clinicians working across a vast region that includes towns such as Walgett, Bourke, Lightning Ridge, Brewarrina and Cobar - where access to sexual and reproductive health services can be more limited than in metropolitan areas.

The session focused on practical guidance for managing unintended pregnancies in community settings, including clinical advice on MS-2Step™ prescribing, follow-up care and navigating local referral pathways.

Family Planning Australia Medical Lead Dr Lucy Cho said it was encouraging to see strong regional interest.

“It was wonderful to see the interest and commitment of the Dubbo health workers to learning more about pregnancy options and how they can provide care for their patients,” Dr Cho said.

“As well as building confidence in managing abortion-related consultations, health professionals gained a stronger understanding of local referral options as well as the individual and institutional barriers that someone seeking assistance can encounter.”

Equity of access to sexual and reproductive health is an ongoing issue in the regions but recent training in Dubbo aimed to better equip health professionals to manage unintended pregnancies closer to home.

The training also aimed to strengthen connections between primary care providers and the WNSW LHD Pregnancy Options Care and Support Team, helping clinicians better understand where and how to refer patients within the region.

Brad Porter, CEO of WNSW PHN, said collaboration across the sector is critical to improving access in regional communities.

“Events like these build our sector capacity, provide a positive networking experience, and enhance legal knowledge of health practitioners involved in abortion care in NSW,” Mr Porter said.

“Equity of access to sexual and reproductive health in regional towns is an ongoing concern.

“Girls, women and gender diverse communities have the right to information to make informed decisions, and access to safe, effective and affordable abortion and reproductive care.”

Participants at the session reflected on the importance of having clear pathways and services available locally, particularly in regional areas where distance and service availability can present barriers.

“Thank you for your presentations and the work you do, which is so important, especially for vulnerable women in our communities,” one participant said.

Clinicians seeking advice on referral pathways can contact the confidential Pregnancy Options Care and Support line on 1800 601 324.

People looking for sexual and reproductive healthcare, including abortion services, can also use the SEARCH+ online tool to find providers near where they live.

Organisers say the Dubbo training is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that people across Western and Far West NSW can access safe, patient-centred care without needing to travel long distances.