The Queensland Government has announced a $20.78 million investment to bolster access to abortion service and support workforce.
Recruitment is now underway for up to 22 full time nurses, midwives, social workers and senior medical officers across the state’s Hospital and Health Services.
An additional $8 million in funding has been awarded to local NGO Children by Choice to provide crucial wrap around support and improved access to safe abortion services.
“Our health heroes do an incredible job, providing compassionate care to their communities every day and we want to support them to continue to deliver the healthcare Queenslanders deserve with more staff in more regions,” said Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women, Shannon Fentiman.
“As the Minister for Women, it is extremely important to me that Queenslanders have access to safe, world-class pregnancy and reproductive healthcare – and that’s what this investment will do.”
Up to one third of Australian women experience an unintended pregnancy in their lifetime, and in one in three of these pregnancies, women will choose termination of pregnancy.
This funding of between $1 million and $1.6 million for each Hospital and Health Service, will see the new specialist positions work closely with patients to navigate their care options and access time-critical abortion services.
The investment follows landmark law reforms to enable suitably qualified nurses and midwives to perform termination of pregnancy using drugs such as MS2-Step, in the early stages of pregnancy.
These laws will come into effect in the second half of 2024. The Government says they will have a real impact for women and pregnant people, with fewer people having to travel to access this healthcare, particularly in rural and remote areas of Queensland.
The funding is part of the Miles Labor Government’s $41.8 million investment to support the implementation of the Termination of Pregnancy Action Plan 2032 announced in March this year.
“All people should be able to freely and safely make their own sexual and reproductive health choices without barriers,” said Children by Choice CEO, Jill McKay.
“The decriminalisation of abortion was a landmark moment in Queensland history and correctly acknowledges that abortion is a healthcare issue.
“Despite this, the community still experience barriers to accessing this important healthcare.
“Children by Choice is so pleased to see the Queensland Government has made a clear commitment, backed by significant investment to support more equitable access to abortion.”
