Women’s health centres across the state play a vital role in delivering accessible healthcare, counselling and support services tailored to the needs of women in the community. By providing early intervention and preventative care close to home, they help women address health concerns before they escalate, reducing the need for more acute, complex and costly treatment while easing pressure on our public health system.  

In the past year alone, the women’s community health sector has supported women over 120,000 times across New South Wales. I am proud to be a part of a Government that understands the value of investing in women’s health and continues to support women’s health centres, ensuring more women can access the care they need, when and where they need it and improving health outcomes across the state.   
 
While these outcomes are reflected in statewide figures, they are made possible by the dedicated staff and management teams of women’s health centres, who lead and deliver services that make a meaningful difference within their local communities. Recently, I had the pleasure of learning more about this important work firsthand when I met with Angelique Sasagi, the General Manger of the Blue Mountains Women’s Health and Resource Centre.  
 
The centre, which provides a range of health, wellbeing and social support services for women, is an integral part of our Blue Mountains community. Guided by a commitment to women’s rights and dignity, the Blue Mountains team strive to create a community where all women, regardless of their background, age, or sexual orientation can live safely, exercise choice and access the support they need to thrive. Through a holistic, feminist, and trauma informed approach, they address gaps in gender-based healthcare, particularly for women who face barriers to accessing services. Beyond clinical care, the centre delivers programs that foster connection, wellbeing and empowerment, helping women make informed decisions about their health and lives. Supporting women who are most at risk of experiencing poorer health outcomes and greater barriers to accessing healthcare, is a key part of their work. Through tailored health, counselling and wellbeing programs, Aboriginal women, culturally and linguistically diverse women, women living with disability, women experiencing disadvantage, and women in rural and regional communities can access the care and support that they need.  
 
In 2023, the Blue Mountains Women’s Health and Resource Centre expressed its gratitude to the Minns Labor Government for the funding that they have received to be able to provide these services. The centre has welcomed the enhancement funding our Government has provided, which has strengthened their capacity to support women across the Blue Mountains and Lithgow areas. The centre was recently informed of the continuation of that funding, which will enable vital services to be maintained and expanded into the future. The Minister for Women recently sent that confirmation to the centre. 
 
The enhancement funding has allowed for the expansion of services and greater recognition of areas of need amongst women within the Blue Mountains community. The success of that investment has shown what is possible when women’s health services are resourced to meet demand, highlighting the value of the Government’s investment. The achievements delivered so far represent a strong foundation for future success. Continued Government support would accelerate this momentum and deliver even greater outcomes for women and communities not only in the Blue Mountains, but in all women’s health centres across the state. I’m excited to see the future of our Government’s continued focus on increasing access to holistic, women-centred health and wellbeing services across New South Wales.  
 
I earnestly express my gratitude for the Blue Mountains Women’s Health and Resource Centre. Angelique and her team have shown an ongoing commitment to our communities most vulnerable women through their programs and partnerships. The work that they do is essential in meeting the needs of women young and old alike, with an array of life experiences. I thank all the board members of the Blue Mountains Women's Health and Resource Centre for their commitment and I acknowledge every single one of the staff alongside Angelique: Danielle, Cherie, Megan, Devina, Mia, Jackie, Amelia, Jenny, Lizzie, Salicia, Lauren, Kirsty, Toni, Sam, Tara, Amanda, Ailie, Sian and Emily, their fantastic student placement.