WOMEN’S HEALTH BOOM HITS THE GOLD COAST

Following COVID lockdowns and pressures on the Queensland health system, the demand for specialist women’s health and fertility services on the Gold Coast is on the rise.

According to the Jean Hailes National Women’s Health Survey 2020, an annual snapshot of current women’s health behaviours, almost one in four respondents reported infertility issues, with 58.7% seeking the services of a gynaecologist or fertility specialist.

The survey also highlighted that one in three women reported symptoms of anxiety and

one in four reported symptoms of depression, with the prevalence of both disorders particularly high among women aged 18-24. While according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, around 15 of every 1,000 hospitalisations among females aged 15–44 in 2016–17 were endometriosis-related.

With one in nine women suffering from endometriosis and one in six couples seeking fertility assistance, Grace Private Director, Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist Dr Tina Fleming said demand for specialist women’s health care was booming in a post COVID world. 

“With lockdowns and pauses on elective surgery during the pandemic, we found that women’s health conditions like endometriosis were being triaged as a lower priority by both patients and the healthcare system so many women were not accessing the care they needed,” Dr Fleming said.

“The pandemic also encouraged many women and couples to reflect on what is important to them including when they would like to start a family.”

“As a result, we’re seeing a surge in women seeking a diagnosis, treatment and surgery for endometriosis, PCOS and other women’s health issues along with increased enquiries for fertility and egg preservation for future pregnancies.” 

Designed by women for women, Grace Private’s team of leading health specialists offer a full range of obstetrics, gynaecology, fertility, and ultrasound supported by physiotherapy, psychology, dietetics and an all-new women’s health GP service. 

With its new satellite practice at The Brickworks Ferry Road Southport now open, Dr Fleming said Grace Private was committed to increasing access to specialist healthcare for the women of the Gold Coast and surrounding areas. 

“At Grace Private, we believe every woman deserves to live her best life,” said Dr Fleming. 

“From painful periods to fertility and pregnancy to menopause, we take an integrated holistic approach to providing excellence in care for women of all ages.

“Our additional Ferry Road practice and new specialist women’s health GP service will provide us with extra capacity to help and empower even more women on their health journey.”

Now consulting from Grace Private’s Ferry Road practice, local GPs Dr Anna Alderton, Dr Frances Knight and Dr Elise Turner, offer advanced gynaecological and antenatal care, menopause management, weight loss, women’s adolescent health, child development, and pelvic health. 

Other services offered from Grace Private’s Ferry Road practice include gynaecology, fertility, physiotherapy, psychology and dietetics while Grace Private’s specialists continue to provide obstetric care from the practice’s main rooms at Gold Coast Private Hospital.  

For more information and bookings, visit Grace Private’s website www.graceprivate.com.au or phone (07) 5594 7632.