People seeking sexual and reproductive health services will have greater access to support and treatment after Family Planning Tasmania opened the doors to its new clinic on Thursday.
The purpose-built facility located at 93 Paterson Street in Launceston will see services expanded and public access increased.
FPT's new location places the clinic closer to complimentary services including the new Head to Health service and Headspace, as well as education hubs including Launceston College and TasTAFE.
Clinic services manager Jess Willis said with more space came the opportunity to increase the organisation's service delivery.
"We've got an additional clinic room, so we've got the capacity to bring more doctors on board and potentially provide more clinical services over the next few years," she said.
"Also, because of our location, we will be more accessible to young people, so we'll be able to provide and hopefully be a more attractive option for things like sexually transmitted infection and STI screening."
The clinic will provide a suite of sexual and reproductive health services including contraception, women's health and gynaecology, STI testing and treatment, cervical screening and pregnancy options, including unplanned pregnancy services and medication terminations.
FPT chief executive Cedric Manen said with the clinic in the heart of the city, more people would have access to the service, which would in turn reduce the strain on other public services like the LGH.
"The new facility provides increased capacity to take the strain off the health system, and offer vital gynaecological services, '' he said.
"Offering these services will have the effect of reducing waiting times for essential services for Tasmanians, particularly Tasmanian women."
The opening was attended by Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff who voiced his support for the clinical and advocacy work undertaken by FPT.
Mr Manen said more investment in family planning was needed with the demand for services in Tasmania only slightly less than in larger states on the mainland.
"We're seeing close to 14,000 clients a year versus a very large state, Victoria, who's seeing only about 15,000 clients a year," he said.
Labor's spokesperson for health Anita Dow said there was a real need for family planning services in regional areas, particularly the North and North West.
"I have met recently with Family Planning Tasmania and will continue to provide advocacy in this important area of women's health," she said.
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Andrew Chounding
An experienced multi-platform journalist focusing on the issues that impact health in Tasmania. With a background in social research and public policy, health reporting for Andrew is about ensuring the best health outcomes for the Northern Tasmanian community. Contact Andrew at: andrew.chounding@examiner.com.au or 0437 358 262
An experienced multi-platform journalist focusing on the issues that impact health in Tasmania. With a background in social research and public policy, health reporting for Andrew is about ensuring the best health outcomes for the Northern Tasmanian community. Contact Andrew at: andrew.chounding@examiner.com.au or 0437 358 262
