June 2002

Web serves women well

The Royal Women’s Hospital in Carlton is embracing technology and increasing women’s access to health information.

Well Women’s Services at the Royal Women’s has launched a free Women’s Health Information telephone service for rural women and a website for women to access immediate health advice.

‘Women are big users of both telephone and web-based information services and rural women, in particular, will benefit from being able to consult with health nurses/midwives from home,’ said Rosemary Burrell, Manager of Well Women’s Services.

‘The staff are experienced counsellors and can provide advice on a range of health and life issues of concern to women from family planning, sexuality and pregnancy to menopause.

‘They can also put women in touch with local community agencies if they need further support,’ Ms Burrell said.

The Well Women’s Website contains a wide range of health information, a timetable of seminars, workshops and other health promoting activities as well as offering a email question and answer service giving direct access to a women’s health nurse/midwife.

The site also aims to attract young women and provides online fact sheets for women from non-English speaking backgrounds.

The Women’s Health Information Centre encourages women of all ages to phone or visit, talk to staff and browse through the extensive range of books and free brochures.

• Women’s Health Information Centre is open between 9a.m. and 5p.m Monday to Friday on the ground floor at the Royal Women’s Hospital, 132 Grattan Street,Carlton. The website address is http://wellwomen.rwh.org.au. The information line contact number is 9344 2007, toll-free number for country callers 1800 442 007.