August DDH mobile women’s health clinic schedule available

Mobile women's health nurses Kathy Anning, Barbara Milne, and Marcia Hunt.

By Dominique Tassell

The Darling Downs Health mobile women’s health clinic schedule for August is now available.

The nurses are now on the road, travelling to rural locations to provide free and confidential health clinics.

The DDH mobile women’s health nurses, Barbara Milne, Kathy Anning, and Marcia Hunt, offer a range of services including cervical screening tests, breast awareness, sexual health testing, and advice for issues such as continence, menopause, family planning, contraception, and general wellbeing.

Ms Barbara Milne, who travels west from Dalby, to Taroom in the north, and to Texas in the south, said women are often prioritising the health of others resulting in their own health being sidelined.

“It’s really important for the women in our communities to prioritise their health and wellbeing, and make time for regular check-ups and tests,” Ms Milne said.

Ms Kathy Anning, who covers the south-east region, said the mobile women’s health clinics are an easy, fuss-free way to ensure health tests are up-to-date.

“Our clinics are a great opportunity for women to seek help for anything that is concerning them,” Ms Anning said.

In 2017 changes were made to the cervical screening program, with women now needing a cervical screening test every five years instead of a pap test every two years.

Ms Marcia Hunt, who covers the north east region, said it’s important to get cervical screening tests when they are due, as they are the best protection against cervical cancer.

“While the test is every five years, we really encourage women to book into our clinics if they have any concerns, or if something doesn’t feel right,” Ms Hunt said.

Carbal Medical Services Registered Nurse Deborah Dixon said that “it’s very important for women to get regular screening done because early detection is very important”.

She said things can be more effectively treated if detected early, but it’s also important for women to know about their own bodies and understand them so they can manage their health.

Upcoming clinics will be held at the following locations:

• 2 August, Millmerran Hospital, phone 4695 3111

• 3 August, Biggenden Doctors, phone 4127 1404

• 4 August, Warwick Hospital, phone 4660 3900

• 4 August, Mundubbera Hospital, phone 4165 5200

• 5 August, Pittsworth Hospital, phone 4619 8422

• 5 August, Dalby Hospital, phone 4669 0517

• 9 August, Esk Hospital, phone 5424 4600

• 10 August, Monto Doctors, phone 4166 1213

• 11 August, Monto Doctors, phone 4166 1213

• 11 August, Oakey Hospital, phone 4691 4888

• 12 August, Stanthorpe Hospital, phone 4683 3460

• 1 August, Dr Ung Gayndah Doctors, phone 4161 357`

• 13 August, Breast Screen Toowoomba clinic, phone 4616 6809

• 15 August, Kilkivan and Goomeri Community Health Building, phone 0408 762 170

• 17 August, Clifton Medical Centre, phone 4697 3097

• 18 August, Dalby Hospital, phone 4669 0517

• 18 August, Gatton Community Health Service, phone 5468 4188

• 18 August, Kingaroy Medical Centre, phone 4564 7101

• 19 August, Inglewood Community Health, phone 4652 0777

• 19 August, Killarney Medical Centre, phone 4664 1488

• 20 August, Breast Screen Toowoomba Clinic, phone 4616 6809

• 25 August, Southern Cross Care Allora, phone 4666 3171

• 26 August, Blackbutt Medical Centre, phone 4169 8203

• 26 August, Jandowae Hospital, phone 4668 4555

• 30 August, Tara Hospital, phone 4678 7900