BHP funding to support women’s health services in Hedland

A new telehealth service supported by BHP (ASX: BHP) is aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of women living in Port and South Hedland.

The partnership between Hedland Well Women’s Centre (HWWC) and Luma for her Health and Wellbeing will give the Hedland community access to general practitioners (GP) specialising in women’s health.

BHP’s support allowed upgraded IT systems, advanced cyber security programming, internet satellite upgrades and telehealth equipment to be purchased and installed.

Hedland Well Women’s Centre chief executive Kianna Barker commented on the program.

“It [the program] will increase the capacity and offering of GP services in Port and South Hedland, specifically focusing on services which are in high demand for women,” she said.

“This is an important advancement in providing accessible high-quality specialised healthcare to women in the Hedland community.”

Initially beginning as a six-month pilot, the program will offer up to 16 appointments per month to women in the Hedland area.

Confidential appointments will be scheduled fortnightly and involve video-enabled telehealth between the HWWC nurse, a Luma GP and the client.

Appointments will cover a range of services, including contraceptive counselling and prescription, sexually transmitted infection screening, hormone related consultations and managing conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

BHP manager WA community Rachel Donkin says the program will increase access to health care.

“We are committed to improving the availability of health and community services in Port Hedland,” she said.

“This program will increase access to holistic health care and offer women support for reproductive health concerns during pregnancy.”