Coordinators of women's health services from across Queensland gathered in Gladstone in June 2009 to network, share ideas and form the Women’s Health Services Alliance (WHSA). Alliance members include the Statewide and regional services funded fully or predominantly by the Queensland Government to provide women’s health services in Queensland through the Public Health Outcomes Funding Agreement (PHOFA) with the Federal Government. They provide essential services of community support, health promotion, early intervention and prevention, and are utilised by marginalised communities and vulnerable women and families who may not access other health services.
This agreement enables members to collaborate on various projects, develop cooperative responses to key issues in State and Federal policy, and provide a statewide capacity to take full advantage of strengths in regional delivery, on issues affecting women’s health in Queensland. In 2019-2020 membership expanded to include newly-funded Women's Health and Well-being Services.
As Secretariat QWHN acts as an initial contact point, assists with meetings, communication and correspondence.
Alliance membership comprises:
Statewide services
- Women’s Health & Equality Queensland
- Queensland Women’s Health Network Inc (WHSA Secretariat Organisation)
- Children by Choice
Regional services
- Mackay Women’s Centre
- Gympie and District Women’s Health Centre
- North Queensland Combined Women’s Services
- Wide Bay Women’s Health Centre
- The Centre for Women & Co.
- Women’s Health Centre Gladstone
- Women’s Health Centre Rockhampton
- Laurel Place – Women’s Space Health and Well-being Program
- Centre Against Domestic Abuse (Women's Health & Well-being)
- Domestic Violence Action Centre (Women's Health & Well-being)
- Lifeline Darling Downs & SW Qld (Women's Health & Well-being)
- EDON Place (Women's Health & Well-being)
- Neami National (Women's Health & Well-being)
- All services are equal members of the Alliance.
- National links
The Women’s Health Services Alliance is committed to maintaining active participation on the Australian Women’s Health Network (AWHN), and seeks at all times to have at least one WHSA representative on the AWHN National Committee.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the WHSA is:
- To advocate and lobby as an expert body for women’s health issues in Queensland
- To be a voice to government on women’s health policy
- To maintain and develop the future viability as key stakeholders in delivery of community based and/or community-focused women’s health services in Queensland
- To facilitate networking and support for members
PRINCIPLES
The WHSA is based on principles of social justice and an understanding of a gendered approach to health or health within a social context, as endorsed by governments throughout Australia. This endorsement was originally expressed in the National Women’s Health Policy (1989), Advancing Women’s Health in Australia.
This view recognises that:
- health is determined by a broad range of social, environmental, economic and biological factors
- differences in health status and health objectives are linked to gender, age, socio-economic status, ethnicity, disability, location and environment, racism, sex-role stereotyping, gender inequality and discrimination, ageism, sexuality and sexual preferences
- health promotion, disease prevention, equity of access to appropriate and affordable services and strengthening the primary health care system are necessary, along with high quality illness treatment services
- information, consultation, advocacy and community development are important elements of the health process.
In accordance with these principles, the member organisations of the WHSAQ provide services which:
- encompass all of women's lifespan, and reflect women's various roles in Australian society, not just their reproductive role
- promote the participation of women in debate and decision making about health issues, their own health care, health service policy, planning, delivery and evaluation
- recognise women's rights, as health care consumers, to be treated with dignity, in an environment which provides for privacy, informed consent, confidentiality and safety
- acknowledge that informed decisions about health and health care require accessible information, which is appropriately targeted for different socio-economic, educational and cultural groups
- use existing data, research and policy concerning women's health, as well as incorporating women's views about their own health and the best strategies to address their health needs, in service planning and development
- provide appropriate women's health care to women in local communities, within a state-wide, co-ordinated approach
- ensure equity and accessibility of services without financial, cultural, geographic and or other barriers.
- ensure effective management and operation of women's health centres by women, for women
- provide a broad range of services and strategies within a preventive and holistic framework, which:
- are provided by women, for women
- value women's own knowledge and experience
- facilitate the sharing of women's skills, knowledge and experience
- link women's individual experience and health needs to the social and cultural context of women's lives
- empower women
- challenge sex-role stereotyping, gender discrimination, racism and homophobia which affect health
- increase the accessibility, sensitivity and acceptability of health services for women
- relate to identified health priorities at the local and state level.
Women’s Health Services Alliance Qld Members
Women's Health & Equality Queensland
Street Address
Level 2, The Bower
433 Logan Rd
Stones Corner Qld 4120
Postal Address
PO Box 70, Greenslopes Qld 4120
Admin and library: (07) 3216 0976
Health Information Line: (07) 3216 0376
Toll Free: (outside Brisbane) 1800 017 676
Email: admin@womenshealth.org.au
Geographical coverage/catchment area
Queensland
Client age range
All ages
Hours of service
The Centre is open 9.00am-5.00pm Monday to Friday.
Cost
--------
Main activities
- Health Information Line
- Midwife Check-in
- Library
- Resources
- Website
- Health Education
Queensland Women's Health Network Inc
Postal Address
PO Box 1855, Thuringowa BC QLD 4817
Telephone :(07) 4789 0665
Email : coordinator@qwhn.asn.au
Website : www.qwhn.asn.au
Geographical coverage/catchment area
Queensland
Client age range
All ages
Hours of service
Part-time worker: Mon: 8.00am-5.00pm; Tues: 8.00am-12.00pm; Thurs: 8.00am-12.30pm.
Cost
For membership details please visit our website.
Main activities
Queensland Women’s Health Network raises awareness of women's health and well-being issues across Queensland through provision of:
- Printed information – 3 Newsletter editions per year on specific identified women’s health issues.
- Digital information – A Facebook page and website provide 24-hour access to information, links, resources, newsletters; plus service and contact information for women’s health services throughout Queensland.
- Email Bulletins – Members receive regular email bulletins on upcoming state and national conferences, seminars, events, research, and training opportunities.
Children By Choice
Street Address
237 Lutwyche Road , Windsor (Brisbane)
Postal Address
PO Box 2005, Windsor, QLD 4030
Telephone : (07) 3357 5570
1800 177 725 Freecall within Queensland, outside of Brisbane
Fax : (07) 3857 6246
Email : info@childrenbychoice.org.au
Website : www.childrenbychoice.org.au
Geographical coverage/catchment area
- Queensland wide unplanned pregnancy telephonecounselling and information service.
- Brisbane based face to face counselling and education services.
Client age range
Women of reproductive age
Hours of service
Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost
Counselling - Free
Education and Training – fees vary
Main activities
- Children by Choice is pro-choice and provides referrals for all unplanned pregnancy options - abortion, adoption and parenting
- Unplanned pregnancy counselling and information services
- School-based and youth education activities on issues relating to unplanned pregnancy
- Skills training for professionals in unplanned pregnancy counselling
- Advocacy on issues relating to women’s reproductive health choices
Mackay Women's Centre
Street Address
14 Victoria Street , Mackay
Postal Address
PO Box 444, Mackay, QLD 4740
Telephone : (07) 49531788
Fax : (07) 49530521
Email: admin@mackaywomenscentre.com.au
Website www.mackaywomenscentre.com.au
Geographical coverage/catchment area
Mackay
Client age range
All ages
Hours of service
Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 2.00pm
Cost
Any costs for activities are advertised
Main activities
- Health information and referral
- Newsletter
- Support and advocacy
- Pregnancy & Parenting Support Program
- Activities for women as advertised in newsletter (craft groups, meditation, educational classes, personal development)
- Free lending library
- Maternity Nurse Practitioner (free pre-natal and newborn health checks)
- Free computer and internet access
- Emergency Relief (food vouchers, nappies, baby needs)
- Non-clinical crisis counseling
Gympie & District Women's Health Centre
Street Address
21 Alfred Street, Gympie QLD 4570
Postal Address
21 Alfred Street, Gympie QLD 4570
Telephone : (07) 5483 6588
Fax : (07) 5483 6379
Email : gwhealth@spiderweb.com.au
Website : Under construction
Geographical coverage/catchment area
Gympie & Cooloola Region
Client age range
13 years and over
Hours of service
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.00am – 4.00pm
Cost
Free
Main activities
- Counselling
- Group work
- Health information and referral
- Support groups
- Education
- Health promotion
- Visiting health professionals
- Free lending library
- Access to computer with internet
North Queensland Combined Women's Services
Street Address
118 Charles Street, Aitkenvale, Townsville (Cnr Charles and Nathan Sts)
Postal Address
118 Charles Street, Aitkenvale QLD 4812
Telephone : (07) 4775 7555
Fax : (07) 47792959
Email : nqcws@thewomenscentre.org.au
Website : www.thewomenscentre.org.au
Geographical coverage/catchment area
Townsville/Thuringowa, Ingham, Burdekin, Charters Towers and surrounds
Client age range
15 years and over
Hours of service
Monday-Friday, 9.00am – 4.45pm
Wednesday, 9am-12.30pm
Cost
Free
Main activities
- Counselling
- Group work
- Health information and referral
- Education – Community and Centre based
- Health promotion
- Visiting health professionals
- Emergency relief
- Referral to women’s shelter or other accommodation
- Sexual assault support and counselling
Wide Bay Women's Health Centre Inc
Street Address
8 Truro Street, Torquay
Postal Address
PO Box 5003, Torquay, QLD 4655
Telephone : (07) 4125 5788
Fax : (07) 4125 5911
Email : wbwhc@bigpond.net.au
Website : https://wbwhc.org.au/
Geographical coverage/catchment area
Wide Bay region
Client age range
All ages, but mainly 13–80+
Hours of service
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 9.00am – 5.00pm
Tuesday 9.30am – 5.00pm
Friday, 9.00am – 2.00pm (but closed all day on the last Friday of the month)
Cost
Free services
Main activities
- Counselling
- Therapeutic Group Programs
- Educational and Personal Development workshops
- Courses and Information sessions in relation to women’s emotional and mental health issues
- Health promotion
- Health information and referral
- Indigenous Family Support Worker sensitive to the needs of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander women
- Coordinates Indigenous Women’s educational, social and emotional wellbeing programs in partnership with local Indigenous services and other community organisations.
The Centre for Women & Co
Street Address
29 City Road Beenleigh QLD 4207
Postal Address
PO Box 726 Woodridge QLD 4114
Telephone: (07) 3050 3060
Fax: (07) 3808 9657
Email: BeenleighAdmin@centreforwomen.org.au
Website: https://centreforwomen.org.au/
Geographical coverage/catchment area
To access the counselling service, clients must live or work in Logan or Beenleigh area. Other services have no geographical catchment criteria
Client age range
14 years and over
Hours of service
Monday – Friday 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Cost
Prices for courses and workshops are kept to a minimum. Counselling is free for women over 14 years of age. Self-referral is welcomed by calling the centre.
Main activities
- Counselling
- Emotional and mental health programs
- Health information and resources
- Self help groups and social groups
- Personal development and training courses
- Natural therapies
- Physical wellbeing classes
- Volunteering
- Rooms for hire
Gladstone Women's Health Centre
Street Address
65 Central Lane, Gladstone QLD 4680
Postal Address
PO Box 8219
South Gladstone QLD 4680
Telephone : (07) 4979 1456
Fax : (07) 4979 1901
Email : info@gladstonewomenshealth.org.au
Website : www.gladstonewomenshealth.org.au
Geographical coverage/catchment area
Gladstone , Boyne Island, Tannum Sands, Calliope and Mt Larcom, Miriam Vale, Agnes Water and 1770.
Client gender and age range
Womens Health Services: 15 years and over
Sexual Assault Services: Men, Women and Children any age
Hours of service
Monday to Thursday 9am – 4:30pm Closed Friday
Cost
Majority of services free
Main activities
- Face to face and telephone counselling
- Group work
- Health information and referral
- Education
- Health promotion
- Visiting health professionals
- Support and advocacy
- Community education
- Venue and support for self help groups
- Rape crisis and sexual assault support
- Lending library
- Young Parents Program
- Post Natal Disorders Support Service
- Family nutritional program
Women's Health Information & Referral Service (Rockhampton)
Street Address
225 Bolsover Street, Rockhampton
Postal Address
Box 6395, CQMC, QLD 4702
Telephone : (07) 4922 6585
1800 017 382 (rural freecall)
Fax : (07) 4922 2477
Email : info@womenshealthrockhampton.com
Website : www.womenshealthrockhampton.com
Geographical coverage/catchment area
Central Queensland
Client age range
13 years and over
Hours of service
Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Some groups are run out of hours as required
Cost
All services are free and confidential
Main activities
The Women's Health Information and Referral Service offer three main service types:
- Women's Health & Wellbeing Service
- Rockhampton Rape, Incest & Sexual Violence Centre (RRISC)
- Domestic & Family Violence Court Assistance Service
- Counselling
- Library
- Group work
- Health information and referral
- Education
- Health promotion
- Training options for service providers
- Community action on women’s health issues
Laurel Place – Women’s Space Health and Well-being Program
Street Address
33 Dalton Drive Maroochydore 4558
Postal Address
PO Box 384 Cotton Tree 4558
Telephone: (07) 54434711
Email: womensspace@laurelplace.com.au or admin@laurelplace.com.au
Website: www.laurelplace.com.au
Geographical coverage/catchment area
Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions
Client age range
15 years and over
Hours of service
Monday – Friday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Cost
Access to all Laurel Place programs are at no cost
Main activities
- Well-being planning and case coordination
- Psych-educational workshops
- Women’s Therapeutic Groups
- Women’s social groups
- Counselling