The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) welcome the Government’s new investment into 20 specialised endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across Australia which will provide targeted clinical diagnostics and management of the growing yet under-addressed burden of pelvic-related conditions nation-wide.

Over 10% of people with uteruses are affected with endometriosis by their early 40s1 however diagnosis is often severely delayed with most cases only being identified an average of 7 years after the onset of symptoms.

“This substantial delay in diagnosis prevents early management and can produce profound effects on quality of life, with many individuals experiencing ongoing pain, disability and reduced ability to work or engage in daily activities,” said Lois Segun-Beloved, AMSA Sexual and Reproductive Health National Co-Coordinator.

“Access to diagnosis, treatment, and support for endometriosis pelvic pain conditions has historically been inadequate, with many people with uteruses experiencing significant delays in diagnosis and difficulty accessing appropriate care, especially if they are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or are living in rural or remote areas,” added Ms Segun-Beloved.

“Although this is a massive step by the Government to improve the care of individuals experiencing chronic pelvic pain, we must ensure that there is equitable access for populations with current and historical barriers to healthcare,” said Behlana Robinson, AMSA Sexual and Reproductive Health National Co-Coordinator.

“Proactive strategies focusing on equitable healthcare delivery must be developed to ensure that populations with barriers to access are able to utilise these clinics safely and with ease,” added Ms Robinson.

AMSA calls upon the Federal Government and health delivery service to embed equitable service delivery strategies into their rollout through:

• Collecting and analysing data on patient outcomes to identify disparities between different groups in the Australian population to inform efforts for equity in care delivery improvement.
• Prioritising outreach, support and education programs for populations that face barriers to care, such as rural or remote communities, Indigenous Australians, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
• Ensure practitioners have training in trauma informed care and cultural safety.
• Ensure practitioners have training in LGBTQIASB+ healthcare, including working safely with patients of all genders and innate variations in sex characteristics.

AMSA is the peak representative body for Australia’s 18,000 medical students. AMSA Sexual and Reproductive Health uses a human-rights based approach to advocate locally and globally for every individual to have the tools necessary to have a safe sexual and reproductive health journey throughout their lives.