Health minister says local women’s centre a ‘critical resource’

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For nearly four decades, the Macarthur Women’s Health Centre has provided vital health and wellbeing assistance for women living in Campbelltown, Camden, and Wollondilly.

This morning, minister for health Ryan Park, visited the centre to see for himself how the centre makes a difference to women’s health.

Macarthur Women’s Health Centre provides support to hundreds of women each year.

From August to December 2024, it provided approximately 300 occasions of service to the 170 women who attended the centre for counselling, casework, or allied health support during that period.

Services at Macarthur Women’s Health Centre are provided by women for women and include a variety of counselling and therapeutic groups, crisis support, case management and advocacy, as well as health education opportunities. 

The centre partners with other NGOs and health services to provide these services including a women’s health clinic by Family Planning NSW, therapeutic groups with Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, and the Antenatal Safestart program by Campbelltown Hospital.

An additional 21 groups, workshops and events were hosted for women attracting more than 500 occasions of attendance last year.

“I’m so pleased to see firsthand the incredible work which is being done at the Macarthur Women’s Health Centre,’’ Mr Park said after this morning’s visit along with local MP Greg Warren.

“The centre’s dedication to improving the lives of women through an integrated approach to health and other services makes it a critical resource for the Macarthur community.’’

Mr Park said women across the Macarthur area are benefitting from enhanced health and wellbeing services, thanks to $3.6 million total investment over four years from the Minns Labor Government.

This investment has been boosted as part of $34.3 million 2023-2024 budget commitment for 20 such health centres across NSW.

“Our investment means the centre has been able to increase staff numbers, offer healthcare and counselling services to more women, reduce waitlists for counselling appointments, and improve the lives of women with this integrated approach to care,” the minister said.

Mr Warren said that for 37 years the Macarthur Women’s Health Centre has been front and centre supporting women in the local community.

“I’m so pleased to visit today and see that legacy living on,’’ he said.

“This recent boost in funding is having far-reaching benefits to the Macarthur community, improving the lives of women who need to access these vital services in times of crisis.”

Minister Ryan Park and local MP Greg Warren with members of the team at Macarthur Women’s Health Centre. TOP: Arriving at the centre for this morning’s visit.

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