Page 198 - Week 02 - Thursday, 25 May 1989
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AIDS, socio-economic status, physical surroundings and lifestyle. Improving health status and outcomes requires a coordinated approach across all of the portfolios, and Labor will do that.
The ACT Community and Health Service is currently drawing up a women's health policy which will identify the priority health needs of women, the guiding principles for action and the strategies necessary to meet these needs. Community meetings were held during 1988 as a part of a consultation process to talk with women in the community about their needs, how these should be prioritised and how they might be addressed.
The ACT Community and Health Service has already made significant progress in the women's health area. The service has had a women's health adviser since 1987, and recently with the amalgamation of community services her role was broadened to include all of the human service areas. The Women's Health Service provides primary health care and a range of services to improve and promote the health of women. Recently a full time co-ordinator was appointed so that the health promotion activities of the service can be expanded. I should add that the appointment of the full time coordinator was a factor in Labor's election promises.
The community health centres in the ACT have always been well used by women. I plan to enhance these services by establishing a number of well women clinics in conjunction with the Women's Health Service. The Women's Information and Referral Centre has proved to be an important resource for women in the community and will continue to be supported. A pilot cervical cancer screening program is about to commence. In its first year the program will focus on women over 40, migrant women and Aboriginal women. The next year the focus will be on young women in the 15 to 24 group.
For many women violence is an aspect of their everyday lives. This Government will continue the present funding of the domestic violence crisis service, and in partnership with the Federal Government will provide $450,000 for the establishment of another women's refuge for survivors of domestic violence. Significant improvement in the health of women requires a cooperative and coordinated approach by government, public and private health services, professional and union organisations and the community.
The ACT Labor Government is committed to doing its part. At a meeting in March this year, all Australian health Ministers endorsed in principle the development of the national women's health policy, and the ACT, with other States and Territories, is now exploring how the policy might best be implemented. Women provide a special perspective for the development of human services. They are the major users of health and welfare services, the majority of human service providers and carers for others,
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