Women's health
Where to find this service
Women's health services and information
We provide services that address the health needs of women including:
- early pregnancy assessment (for women who have pain and/or bleeding in early pregnancy)
- endometriosis assessment and management
- Intrauterine device clinic (for patient’s needing specialist care including failed insertions or difficult retrievals)
- reproductive choices (including medical and surgical abortions)
- public fertility care (free fertility care in partnership with the Royal Women’s Hospital)
- general gynaecology (for conditions including but not limited to, abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain disorders, contraception, vulval disease, perimenopause conditions, adnexal pathology and disorders of sexual function)
- gynaecological oncology
- urogynaecology/pelvic floor issues
- colposcopy (management of all screen-detected cervical abnormalities).
Care may be provided by a doctor, nurse or women’s health physiotherapist.
Women's health referrals
For lead clinicians, referral guidelines and forms, campus details, and contacts, visit our Women’s referrals page.
Gynaecology referrals
To access gynaecology care, you’ll need a referral from your GP. You don’t need a referral to access the new Melton Community Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub or the Women’s Health Hub.
Your GP will send referrals to the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital. Referrals must include adequate clinical details and any relevant investigations. Incomplete referrals will be returned to your GP.
All referrals are reviewed under the direction of the Head of Gynaecology and appointments are allocated according to clinical need.
Once assessed by our clinicians, gynaecology appointments will be allocated to either Bacchus Marsh Hospital or Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital. The gynaecology clinics operate Monday to Friday during business hours.
For more information, visit our Gynaecology Service page or our Women's Health referral page which covers referrals for:
- General Gynaecology
- Early Pregnancy Assessment Service
- Adolescent Gynaecology
- Colposcopy Clinic
- Fertility Clinic
- Public Fertility Clinic
- Gynaecology Oncology
- Urogynaecology including Transvaginal mesh management services
- IUD Clinic
- Reproductive Choices (Abortion Care)
Maternity referrals
Women requesting maternity care at Western Health require a GP referral. For more information visit our Maternity services page and Women's Health referral page which covers referrals for:
- Gynaecology Services
- Pregnancy Care Services
- Maternal Fetal Medicine
Women's health clinics and services
Allied health
Western Health provides inpatient and outpatient care to patients through a range of Women’s and Paediatric Allied Health specialities, as well as specialist inpatient and outpatient care for patients receiving obstetric or gynaecological management at Western Health.
For more information visit the following pages:
Breast services
The Breast Care Unit provides a quality service with up to 6000 personal consultations a year for women with breast cancer.
We offer a best practice multidisciplinary breast service for over 120 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer each year, as well as supporting women with a breast symptom who are diagnosed with a benign condition.
Our staff work together to provide a coordinated service to our gynae-oncology patients.
Cancer services
We provide Cancer Services for patients in the western and central Melbourne metropolitan region.
Our team provides a coordinated service to our patients with breast cancer.
Colposcopy
Open Monday fortnightly, Tuesday and Wednesday fortnightly at Bacchus Marsh Hospital. Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at JKWC.
Drug health services
Our Drug Health Services cater to people across the development lifespan.
We also provide the Western Health’s Women’s Therapeutic Day Program, a free and confidential service that provides a safe and supportive environment for women to explore, understand and make changes to identified substance use. For more information on this service, view our Services for adults page.
Early pregnancy assessment service
Open Monday to Friday at JKWC.
General gynaecology
Open Monday to Friday at Bacchus Marsh Hospital. Open Monday to Friday and Thursday fortnightly at JKWC.
Gynaecology oncology
Open Monday at JKWC.
Gynaecology
Our Gynaecology Unit provides a comprehensive gynaecological service to the people of the western suburbs of Melbourne, and across Victorian regional areas.
Our Gynaecology Unit is based at the Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital, and is the largest in the west of Melbourne.
Access to this service
For more details read the section below under the heading Referrals.
If you are a patient or relative with an enquiry regarding your care, read this page for details on the relevant departments, as well as post operative surgery discharge instructions.
Teaching, Education and Research
The Gynaecology Unit contributes to the structured teaching program and helps undergraduate students within the clinical environment.
Women's specialist clinics
The department provides a range of Women's specialist clinics for patients who require assessment and management of gynaecological conditions.
IUD Clinic
Open Monday to Friday at Bacchus Marsh Hospital. Open Monday fortnightly at JKWC.
Maternity services
Maternity services - general information
African Women's Wellness Program
This program provides accessible and culturally appropriate clinical services, education and resources for African women.
Our team of medical staff including neonatologists/paediatricians are available at all times and work closely with our midwives and obstetricians to provide care for you if your pregnancy, labour or birth is, or becomes, more complex.
Western health currently offers two different programs of childbirth education, EmpowerED Birth, and Parenting and the Positive Birth Program by Hypnobirthing Australia.
If you or your baby are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, you will be offered care through the Galinjera Maternity Program at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s.
Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital offers a publicly funded homebirth maternity care option for women and birthing people that meet the eligibility criteria.
Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Antenatal Information
Information designed to assist you with any questions you may have regarding your pregnancy, including EVE, our pregnancy app for patients booked at Western Health.
We are committed to promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding. Read our breastfeeding policy and other support documents.
Maternity Assessment Centre (MAC)
Maternity Assessment Centre (MAC) is staffed by midwives who work collaboratively with medical staff to care for you and monitor your baby's health.
MFM provides care for women with the highest risk and most complex pregnancies.
Find information about our Maternity ward, which is located in two areas of the Joan Kirner Building at Sunshine Hospital - Level 7 and level 8 and within the Maternity unit at Bacchus Marsh Hospital.
Read about our options for pregnancy care, including our midwifery care and Koori Maternity Services (KMS).
Perinatal Mental Health Service
This service provides assessment, management, ongoing psychological intervention and group parenting programs for women in the perinatal period, up to 6 months postnatally, who present with varying psychiatric and psychological challenges.
Midwives at either our Joan Kirner Campus or our Bacchus Marsh Campus will provide a thorough pregnancy booking appointment for you.
Our pregnancy care (or antenatal care) clinics are located at both Joan Kirner Women's and Children's at Sunshine Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital.
Mental health and wellbeing
We provide mental health and wellbeing services for people living in western metropolitan Melbourne.
Perinatal Mental Health Service
This service provides assessment, management and ongoing psychological intervention to women receiving maternity care at Western Health, Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Yanna Yanna (Women’s) PARC provides support for people aged 26 and over for short-term intensive treatment in a residential setting to women as a less-restrictive alternative to acute inpatient admission.
Newborn services
The Newborn Services department is currently funded for 30 cots, comprising intensive care, high dependency and special care beds. It is one of the five Level 6 Neonatal Units in the state of Victoria and admits approximately 1600 babies per year.
This department can be contacted on:
Phone: 9055 2500
Women's and Children's Hospital In The Home (HITH)
Women's and Children's Hospital In The Home (HITH) provides inpatient care and support at home for children and newborns who are patients of Western Health.
OARS (anorectal studies)
Open Wednesday fortnightly at JKWC
Paediatrics
Allied Health at Western Health provide a range of specialist outpatient clinics within individual disciplines and through multi-disciplinary teams.
Children's Specialist Clinics and Adolescent Health Service
Children's Specialist Outpatient Clinics and Adolescent Health Service provide care for children and young people aged between 0-18 years.
The Children’s Ward is a 32 bed inpatient unit on the 6th floor of Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s precinct at Sunshine Hospital which caters for children newborn to 18 years old, and cares for over 5000 children each year.
Speech Pathology is based within the Paediatric Allied Health Service at the Joan Kirner Women's and Children's, Sunshine Hospital. The team helps parents with supporting babies and young children with developmental challenges.
Physiotherapy – Sunshine Hospital
Sunshine Hospital offers the following inpatient services:
- Maternity and Gynaecology
Sunshine Hospital also offer following outpatient services:
- Women's health and Paediatric outpatients
- Advanced Practice Clinics (paediatrics/women's health)
For more general information visit our Physiotherapy page.
Public Fertility Care
Western Health has partnered with the Royal Women’s Hospital to provide free fertility assessment and treatment, including IVF.
Public Fertility Care aims to make it easier to access services that can be financially out of reach or difficult to access for some. The service is available to singles, couples and people of all genders.
- To be eligible for the service, you must be a Victorian resident with a Medicare card and be: aged 42 years or younger using your own eggs, or
- aged less than 51 years and seeking to use donor eggs (the egg being used must be 42 years or younger at time of collection).
You’ll need a referral to access the service. Book in with your GP or specialist who can organise tests and investigations for you. Once your results are back, your GP will send a referral to the Royal Women’s Hospital. The Women’s will send you a letter once your referral has been accepted and then we’ll get in touch to arrange your first appointment at Western Health.
Public Fertility Care is open Monday to Friday at JKWC.
For more information on Public Fertility Care, head to our page on Public Fertility Care and the Royal Women’s Hospital website.
Public Fertility Care (not IVF)
Open Wednesday at JKWC.
Reproductive Choices Service
This clinic offers both medical and surgical abortion care to patients. This service offers medical abortion through the Women's Health Hub up to 9 weeks gestations and all patients are eligible. The service also offers surgical abortion between 7 – 17+6 gestation for pregnancies for disadvantaged women with strict limited eligibility criteria. GP referral is required, and it is preferable if patients have had a dating ultrasound and bloods prior to referral.
| Service | Gestational limit | Location | Eligibility |
| Early medical abortion (MTOP) | Up to 9+0 weeks | Sunshine Hospital | ALL |
| Surgical abortion (STOP) | 7+0 – 17+6 weeks | Sunshine and Bacchus Marsh Hospital | Priority given to vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds (see below) |
Our surgical eligibility criteria include:
| Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander | No fixed address |
| Addiction or substance abuse | Refugee background |
| Adolescent (age <25) | Healthcare card holders |
| Victim/Survivors of Family Violence or Sexual assault | Significant mental health/ psychosocial issues |
| History of incarceration | Non-English Speaking |
| BMI >38 | Significant medical co morbidities |
Referrals
You will need a referral from your GP.
Your GP will send referrals to Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital. Referrals must include adequate clinical details and any relevant investigation.
Contact information
Place/Role: Reproductive Choices Service
Phone: 0478260616
[email protected]
Opening Hours
- Monday fortnightly
- Tuesday fortnightly
Screening and management of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Not all people with STI will have symptoms, so we always recommended getting tested. It’s quick and private.
Pap smears
Pap smears (or cervical screening) helps prevent illness and death from cervical cancer. It is recommended every 5 years for women aged 25 to 74. You can do a self-collection test or the nurse can perform it. Its quick, painless and can give you peace of mind.
Contraception
There are many different and effective ways to prevent getting pregnant. Don't rely on social media for your information, come and chat to an expert. We can find the best option for you.
Pregnancy choices and abortion care
Sometimes unplanned pregnancy happens. We're here to help you navigate all your options to help you make the best decision for you. We offer safe and supportive abortion care, if this is right for you.
If abortion is right for you, this clinic can offer medical abortion (abortion pills) for pregnancies less than 9 weeks. We will need to refer you to Western Health Choices or alterative providers depending on your circumstances.
You'll be seen by a midwife or nurse in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Please bring a Medicare care if you have one.
Tuesday: 9am to 4:30pm
Thursday 10:30am to 6pm
Friday 9am to 4:30
Closed public holidays
Location
Melton Health Hub
195-209 Barries Rd, Melton (opposite Woodgrove Shopping Centre)
Request an appointment
Online: Request an appointment form
Call: 03 8345 1727
In-person at the clinic: Ask reception staff to help you.
Note: Interpreters and Disability Liaison Officers available upon request.
View the clinic's Consumer Access Guidelines [PDF, 15.2MB]
Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub
Now open at the Melton Health Hub, this free and confidential sexual and reproductive health service provides clinical services and direct patient care as well as health education and promotion in the community to people in Melton Local Government Area (LGA) and surrounds. Visit the Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub page for more information.
Urodynamics
Open Tuesday at JKWC.
Urogynaecology
Open Tuesday fortnightly at JKWC.
Other women's health services
Explore a range of women's health services offered outside of Western Health.
1800 My Options
1800 My Options provide information and a phoneline addressing contraception, pregnancy options (including abortion/termination of pregnancy) and sexual health.
Australian Breastfeeding Association
Australian Breastfeeding Association is Australia’s leading authority on breastfeeding, ABA supports, educates and advocates for a breastfeeding inclusive society.
Cohealth (Footscray)
Cohealth provides community health services, advocates for health and social equity, undertakes research, and develops health promotion initiatives.
IPC Health (Deer Park and Wyndham Vale)
IPC Health works with communities to address and strengthen major contributors to wellbeing and quality of living, for example in the areas of family violence and child and family services.
Jean Hailes for Women's health
Jean Hailes for Women's health is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving women's health across Australia through every life stage.
Modern Medical (Caroline Springs)
Modern Medical provide several Women’s Health services, including pap smears, family planning and antenatal shared care.
Sexual Health Victoria
Sexual Health Victoria is a state-wide independent charity, for-purpose, all-choice organisation that focuses on reproductive and sexual health care, education and advocacy.
Women's Health Hub
Women’s Health Hub is a GP-led clinic aims to ease symptoms and improve quality of life for women awaiting their first gynaecological specialist clinic appointment. This will include therapies for menstrual disorders, pelvic pain, menopause and other women's health issues. The Women’s Health Hub will expand the reproductive choices service to provide an option for medical termination of pregnancy.
Cancer sites and services
Cancer Council Victoria
Cancer Council Victoria includes educational information as well as support avenues and information about other cancer types.
Counterpart (previously BreaCan)
Counterpart is women with a lived experience of cancer are uniquely placed to help other women with a cancer diagnosis to live well. Includes information about the Navigator App available for downloading.
BCI Westmead Breast Cancer Institute
BCI Westmead Breast Cancer Institute has various factsheets and information.
OTIS Foundation
OTIS Foundation provides retreat accommodation at no cost to anyone dealing with the challenges of breast cancer.
Canteen Australia
Canteen Australia is a resource for all young people whose lives are affected by cancer.
Think Pink
Think Pink is an independent charitable foundation whose mission is to provide practical support and to enable a better journey through breast cancer for patients and their families.