Coronavirus (COVID-19)

In this section

• Elective procedures
• Before your appointment
• Support person
• Medical abortion by phone
• Interstate travel

As with all health facilities, we are constantly updating our service delivery to reflect the advice and guidelines of the World Health Organisation and the Australian federal and state and territory governments.

We are open and available to assist you with your questions and appointments. We have moved our support office to working from home; so we may take longer to answer your calls, we appreciate your patience.

If you have an appointment with us, you don’t need to confirm this or take any further action. We will contact you and support you if there are any changes to your appointment.

Elective procedures

Abortion is an essential service and is a Category 1 service. We will continue to provide abortion services throughout this pandemic.

We can now offer vasectomy and standalone sedation contraception appointments at most of our clinics across Australia. Each state and territory has different guidelines about when we resume activity at full capacity. For the latest updates head to the Federal Government's COVID-19 page.

< Back to contents

Before your appointment

Screening questions

When you contact us for a booking, we will ask some simple screening questions to make sure we are giving you the most up-to-date information and connecting you to the right service. When you arrive at our clinics, our team will also ask you a series of screening questions and take your temperature.

< Back to contents

Support person

We are asking that you do not bring your support person into our clinic with you. We know that having a support person with you is helpful, however, we need to be able to practice phyical distancing, which is critical to reduce the risk of infection.

This is a temporary but very important arrangement to keep our staff and clients safe.

Support people may only enter the clinic if:

• They are a legal guardian or parent of a minor
• They are a medical power of attorney
• They are a support worker, such as a social worker, a mental health worker or a physical disability support.

Any support person attending the clinic with you will also be asked routine screening questions and have their temperature taken.

You can still have a support person with you outside of the clinic. Here are some alternatives to help with this temporary measure:

• You are welcome to wait outside or in the car with your support person until your appointment.
• Please note that you will need to let reception know you have arrived for your appointment. You will then be screened.
• Once you have gone through the screening process you are welcome to wait with your support person outside or in the car.
• We will call you for your appointment and procedure.
• Your support person cannot physically accompany you for this but you can have them on the phone for part of the consultation and before the procedure.
• Please remember to bring your headphones so that you can talk to your support person as you are preparing for your procedure.
• After your procedure we will take you outside to your support person.

We know that this is an uncertain time for you. However it is important that we maintain physical distancing for your safety, your support person’s safety and the safety of all our clients and staff.

If you are a support person and would like some advice on how you can help your loved one, here is a guide to help you provide emotion support

< Back to contents

Medical abortion by phone

If you are having a medical abortion by phone, you do not need to have a blood test before your doctor consult. We will send you forms to get an ultrasound.

You will also recieve the pregnancy test and follow the same process as above.

< Back to contents

Interstate travel

If you have to travel interstate to access abortion services, it is important that you are are aware of the current restrictions, and how to apply for exemptions. Click on each State and Territory for information on their current travel regulations: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia.

Please note that by making an interstate booking you accept that you have confirmation from the state health departments that you can travel for the purposes of accessing healthcare. This should include any state you are travelling from, to or through. Please acknowledge that the situation or advice may change at short notice.

< Back to contents

We know that this is a very stressful time for everyone, and there is a lot of information going around. Here are some tips for focusing on your sexual and reproductive health, and counselling and support services.

Wellbeing

While it can seem strange to be thinking about your period and menstrual cycle right now, keeping track of it can be a way to feel in control and in tune with your body. It can also help you practice safe sex while we are in self-isolation.

Stress may have an effect on your regular menstrual cycle, so it is helpful to know what effect this unprecedented event may have on your body. Sometimes you can miss a period, or your regular cycle can become very irregular. Using a menstrual checked app can be helpful to stay ‘in tune’.

Counselling and support services

There are several counselling and support services who you can contact for help during this time.

• 1800 Respect is a confidential online and telephone counselling, information and referral service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is for those experiencing the impacts of sexual assault, domestic and family violence. Victims of sexual assault, domestic and family violence, as well as their family and friends, can call 1800RESPECT or visit their website.
• Relationships Australia offers services around the country that include counselling, family dispute mediation and a range of family and community support and education programs. You can call them on 1300 364 277 or visit their website.
• Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. You can call them on 13 11 14 or visit their website.
• Men’s line is a free telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns. Their counsellors specialise in family and relationship issues, including relationship breakdown, separation and divorce, parenting, family violence, suicide prevention and emotional well-being. You can call then on 1300 78 99 78 or visit their website.

If you would like the latest information about COVID-19 including the symptoms and how to keep you and your loved ones safe, you we recommend you visit the World Health Organisation website.

If you would like to know more about the unfolding COVID-19 situation in Australia, we recommend you visit the Australian Government COVID-19 pages.

For people living with a disability, head to Women with Disabilities Australia for some great resources.