Improved Access To Complex Menopause Care In Wagga

Women who experience severe or complex menopause symptoms will benefit from enhanced support, with the opening of a new menopause referral site in the Murrumbidgee at Wagga.

The Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s (MLHD) Menopause Service is part of NSW Health’s extensive menopause network, which includes four health hubs and multiple referral sites throughout the state.

As a part of this network, the Wagga-based service was designed to assist women whose menopause symptoms have not responded to previous treatments, or who face additional complications from other medical conditions.

MLHD Menopause Coordinator, Mary Bartusek said the Murrumbidgee service would help to ensure women of all backgrounds and diversity were able to access the specialised services they needed to address their menopause symptoms.

“This is an inclusive service which includes all women who may experience health inequities,” Ms Bartusek said.

“For example, women who identify as Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander, women from a non-English speaking background, women with a disability, women who are victims of family and/or domestic violence and women living in rural and remote areas of the local health district.”

MLHD’s Menopause Service is linked to the South Western Sydney LHD Menopause Hub, which means women can access a comprehensive approach to managing severe menopausal symptoms through a multidisciplinary team of medical specialists and allied health professionals, including women’s health nurses, physiotherapists, dietitians and clinical psychologists.

Member for Wagga, Joe McGirr said he was glad to see this service now available in Wagga and the wider Murrumbidgee region.

“It will make a big difference to the lives of many women in the region experiencing severe or complex menopause symptoms,” Mr McGirr said.

“To have access to the care right here in Wagga Wagga is potentially life-changing for many women in our community who may otherwise have to travel long distances to receive care.”

General practitioners, specialists, and nurse practitioners can refer eligible women for advanced care, they may also make direct contact with the service by emailing MLHD-menopauseservice@health.nsw.gov.au.

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