Women's Health Service
Women living in rural and remote communities may not always have access to sufficient healthcare. To help address this issue, the RFDS run's the Rural Women's GP Service and provides Clinical Nurse Consultants in women's health.
Rural Women's GP Service
Caring for Women and Families in rural and remote Australia
The aim of this service is to improve access to primary and secondary health services for women in Rural and Remote Australia where there is little or no access to a female doctor. This service was developed in response to difficulties in accessing female General Practitioners in Australia.
The Rural Women's GP Service (RWGPS) has been operating across Australia since May 2000. The program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and is managed by the Royal Flying Doctor Service Australia wide.
Female GP's provided by the Service work with the local doctors and other health care providers, meeting the health needs of individual communities. The service provides women living in rural and remote areas with an increased level of choice for their health care needs.
This national program is run in partnership with the Commonwealth Government.
What about the wider community?
While the program is primarily for women it is available to the wider community. The program offers a choice of doctor.
Key Services
- Cervical Cancer Screening
- Breast Examination
- Cardiovascular Health
- Reproductive Health
- Sexual Health
- Menopause
- Skin Examination
- Social and Psychological issues
- Nutritional Management
- Diabetes Screening
- Cholesterol Screening
Nursing and Primary Health Care Clinics
Primary Health Care Clinics are where staff visit remote stations and townships to provide general medical clinics to the residents. Services provided include; child and infant health clinics, mental health nursing services, screening programs for school children and immunisation services to families in remote areas. Antenatal education is also done on an individual basis as is education on parenting skills. Women's health services are conducted at a variety of clinics. Health promotion and education are emerging areas of work for the community health staff.