A public IVF service is now available at Barwon Health.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas officially opened the new satellite in November.
It will deliver support and treatment for Greater Geelong women and families who want to access fertility care.
“This new service in Geelong will be life-changing for many people across the region, helping them realise their dream of starting or growing their family, whilst alleviating financial stress and the need to constant travel,” Ms Thomas said.
The service will offer eligible patients a range of services, including specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and ultrasounds.
“This new satellite is about bringing fertility care to the heart of our community – making it more accessible and more affordable than ever for those across the Bellarine, who are wanting to start a family,” Bellarine MP Alison Marchant said.
Access to public fertility care is available through a GP or specialist referral to the Royal Women’s Hospital (RWH), which then arranges for eligible patients to receive treatment at their closest health service.
This latest service followed the launch of Australia’s first public egg and sperm bank in July last year at RWH, which is accepting egg, sperm, and embryo donations from the community.
The opening also marked one year since the roll-out of public fertility care services in Victoria.
RWH and Monash Health accepted almost 2000 referrals to the program in its first 12 months.
About 1100 patients started treatment, including in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI) or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), and 21 conceived.
The first baby conceived under the program – Felix – was born to Erin and Anthony in October last year.
More information is available at betterhealth.vic.gov.au/public-fertility-care-services.
