Cairns clinic gets $700K grant to treat pelvic pain and endometriosis across Far North

A Cairns clinic is one of 20 in Australia to receive a $700,000 grant to provide more timely care and access to endometriosis and pelvic pain services and expertise.

A massive cash plash for a Cairns clinic aims to provide relief for Far Northerners suffering from a painful chronic condition which affects at least one in nine girls and woman and those assigned female at birth.

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) chief executive Robin Whyte said they were thrilled to work with True Relationships and Reproductive Health (Family Planning Queensland) in Cairns which is one of 20 across the country to receive a Department of Health and Aged Care Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics grant of more than $700,000 over four years.

She said the grant would lead to more appropriate and timely endometriosis and pelvic pain care and management by supporting the hire of specialised staff, including nurse practitioners and allied health professionals, investment in equipment or fit-outs such as pelvic physiotherapy areas, as well as resources, training and development.

Staff L-R, Heather Fageant, Debbie Bradshaw, Jodi Mauro, Dr Sam Olliver, Dr Linda Abenthum and Dr Irene Tjhung at True Reproductive Health in Cairns is one of 20 clinics in Australia to receive a Department of Health and Aged Care Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics grant. Picture: Alison Paterson

“A significant number of women and gender diverse people are suffering with these debilitating conditions, which can have significant effects on an individual’s health, education, and employment,” she said.

“We know the clinic will help to give women and gender diverse people better overall care and easier access to a multitude of health care professionals from the one location.”

TRRH GP Dr Samantha Olliver said the number of women and gender diverse people affected by endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain was significant across the country, including North Queensland.

“Endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain are complex conditions to manage and often require support from pelvic physiotherapists, psychologists, gynaecologists, and pain specialists,” Dr Olliver said.

“Negotiating all of that without an informed GP can often leave people feeling overwhelmed and hopeless, in addition to an already high symptom burden.

“The information that women and gender diverse people are no longer expected to suffer through pelvic pain as being a ‘normal’ part of life is finally being heard. There is a lot more conversation happening among peers and raised awareness that treatment is available – and people are presenting for it.”

TRRH general manager of operations Sharon Stokell said the grant would provide much-needed resources in the Far North.

“We will invest in supporting women and gender diverse people, who are living with endometriosis and pelvic pain, with access to more information and education,” Ms Stokell said.

“We will also support health care professionals within the clinic, and other FNQ general practitioners, with assistance to work in this space”.

Originally published as Cairns clinic gets $700K grant to treat pelvic pain and endometriosis across Far North