Health-care providers briefed on Tasmania’s new low-cost abortion clinic

Tasmania’s new low-cost surgical abortion provider has been revealed as a Melbourne-based health service that will visit the state once a fortnight.

TASMANIA’S new low-cost surgical abortion provider has been revealed as a Melbourne-based health service that will visit the state once a fortnight.

Health Department secretary Michael Pervan said Hampton Park Women’s Health Care would take referrals for its Tasmanian service from Monday with procedures to begin on November 28.

It will mark the first time since mid-January that women will be able to access a low-cost surgical pregnancy termination service within Tasmania.

Figures provided by Marie Stopes show about 125 Tasmanian women have travelled to their mainland clinics for the medical procedure in that time.

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Elizabeth Smith at a protest on Parliament Lawns in Hobart earlier this year about women's health and access to abortion services. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Dedicated health services were briefed on the new service by the Health Department on Friday morning and Primary Health Tasmania shared information with GPs in the afternoon.

They were told the fortnightly clinics may become weekly depending on demand.

Women will be able to access the service through some specialist health service providers, medical specialists or by calling Hampton Park Women’s Health Care directly.

The procedure will cost $475.

Mr Pervan said: “That [cost] will be subject to review in later years to take into account factors such as medical rebates and costs, but the government has committed that the service will remain affordable.”

Hobart woman Angela Williamson, who was sacked by Cricket Australia after criticising the Tasmanian Government’s policies on abortion services, said it had taken 321 days too long for the service to be restored.

She called for abortions to be provided in the public system and said a dedicated reproductive health clinic like those seen in other states should be funded.

“The lack of progress has meant that hundreds of Tasmanian women and girls were impacted and have paid a personal, emotional and financial toll throughout the year,” Ms Williamson said.

“I know that I have.”

Not Ovary-Acting organiser Holly Ewin said a Hobart rally calling for abortions in the public health system would still go ahead on Saturday.

“It’s too little, too late,” Ms Ewin said.

“One private clinic in the south of the state is not free and equal access for all Tasmanians.”

321 days and Tasmanians STILL don't have safe, affordable & accessible surgical termination services in their own state. #politas pic.twitter.com/lUBlo9gIs2

— Tasmanian Labor (@TasmanianLabor) November 15, 2018

Mr Pervan said women who travelled to the southern clinic from other areas of the state would be eligible for the state-funded Patient Travel Assistance Scheme.

The Opposition accused the Government of restigmatising a legal medical procedure and argued a fortnightly clinic was not enough.

Health spokeswoman Sarah Lovell said: “We have now some of the best laws in terms of the procedure and the legality of it, but we have some of the worst access in the country.”

The Government has boosted funding to a suite of health care providers as well as pro-life service Pregnancy Counselling and Support Tasmania.

A Health Department spokesman said details of who was paying the new provider’s lease would be released once the contract was confirmed.