New endometriosis clinics announced for Adelaide, Sydney

Adelaide’s first endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic has opened on Sunday, as part of an expanded national program.

The federal government has been establishing endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across the country, as part of a 2022 election commitment from both major parties

Two new locations were announced on Sunday, one at Thrive Family Practice in the Adelaide beachside suburb of Glenelg North, and the other at Rouse Hill Town Medical and Dental Centre in western Sydney.

It brings the number of clinics to 22 across the country.

Each clinic will receive $700,000 in funding to hire specialised staff and access resources or training.

In a social media post, Thrive Family Practice said it was “honoured” to receive the funding to set up a multidisciplinary clinic. 

“We can’t wait to embrace the opportunity to help more women,” it read.

Assistant Minister for Health Ged Kearney said the clinics were vital for reducing the wait to receive a diagnosis for endometriosis, a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, or other pelvic pain conditions.

“We know that one in nine women suffer with endometriosis and it takes on average about seven years to get diagnosed,” Ms Kearney said.

“And so we’re hoping these clinics will give the specialised care and give women the confidence that they need to feel believed when they present with pelvic pain, to get the treatment they deserve and to live full and healthy lives.”

The federal opposition last week called on the government to expand its trial of pelvic pain clinics, highlighting the initial rollout did not include a site at western Sydney or greater Adelaide.

Prior to Sunday’s announcement, South Australia’s only clinic was at Kadina, a two-hour drive from Adelaide.

New South Wales will now have six clinics, while Victoria and Queensland have four, Western Australia has two and Tasmania, the ACT and Northern Territory have one each.