About the program
This program focuses on improving health outcomes for women and girls in Queensland. Women experience different health outcomes and factors that affect their health and wellbeing compared with men. Women's sexual and reproductive health needs also change over time and can affect other health conditions, so getting the right care at the right time is important.
The program will increase access to care, support prevention and expand hospital and community services. It also aims to help women get care earlier, reduce hospital visits and improve emergency and specialist care.
Goals
Our program will help:
- improve health outcomes for women and girls by addressing health needs and helping them get the right care
- increase access to health care by expanding services, reducing wait times and improving referrals
- support prevention, early treatment and education to help women and girls stay healthy and to manage their health conditions
- make services more culturally safe, inclusive and accessible
- strengthen local and virtual health care so more women and girls can get care closer to home
- give health workers the skills and resources they need to provide better care for women and girls
- improve how health care services work together so women and girls get the right care at the right time
- support research and innovation to build better health care for women and girls now and in the future.
Meeting these goals
We'll improve care for women and girls through initiatives in the following areas.
Prevention, health promotion and easier navigation of the health system
We’ll help women and girls stay healthy by preventing, detecting and treating health issues early. This will reduce the impact of long term illness and improve their quality of life. We’ll make sure women and girls have access to trusted health information that’s easy to understand. This will help them understand their health and make informed health care choices.
Our initiatives focus on:
- culturally appropriate health promotion and early support
- advice and resources for healthy lifestyles
- community-led programs supporting women’s health
- publication of user-friendly health and health service information on a revitalised website
- education for school students on puberty and periods.
Alternative pathways of care
We’ll strengthen health care in local communities by working with GPs, non-government organisations and social care providers. These services help women get care earlier and reduce the need for hospital visits. Virtual and telehealth options will also make it easier to get care, especially in rural and remote areas.
Our initiatives focus on:
- community-based women’s health services, including First Nations-led care
- expanding virtual health and phone-based clinical advice
- inclusive and affirming care for diverse communities
- mental health support.
Hospital based services
We’ll use technology to expand outpatient care in hospitals and at home. This care is usually provided after a referral from a GP. Women and girls will see specialist doctors, nurses and allied health professionals who focus on their specific health needs. Early treatment in these settings can prevent health issues from getting worse and reduce the need for hospital stays.
We're also improving hospital care and emergency treatment for women and girls. We’ll do this by improving access and reducing wait times, so they get safe and effective care when they need it most.
Our initiatives focus on:
- improving specialist support for sexual and reproductive health
- better access to care for pelvic pain and endometriosis
- fertility preservation for people with cancer and complex conditions.
Education and training to support the workforce
We’ll support the health workforce with training and research and give them opportunities to share best practice and innovation to improve care for all women and girls.
Our initiatives focus on:
- scholarships for nurses, midwives and physiotherapists in pelvic health
- research grants to improve long term health outcomes for women and girls
- partnerships with universities to advance women's health research
- increasing training and development for midwives, maternity staff and other health professionals.
Related work
This program aligns with other major Queensland Health initiatives to improve health outcomes for women and girls.
These include maternity programs such as:
- the Office of the Chief Midwife Officer priorities
- the Queensland Birth Strategy
- a $42 million investment in rural and regional maternity services
The program also aligns with mental health initiatives, including Better Care Together.
Who we work with
We work with teams across Queensland Health, government agencies, hospital and health services and community organisations.
Contact
For more information, email womenandgirlsimprove@health.qld.gov.au.