General News
7 August, 2026
Dedicated menopause clinic now open
WOMEN across the southwest can now access free, specialist menopause care close to home.
South West Healthcare has this week opened a dedicated (public) menopause clinic at the Warrnambool Base Hospital, giving women across the district free access to specialist menopause care locally – with the clinic now accepting GP referrals.
Funded through the state government’s women’s health clinics program, the menopause clinic brings a multidisciplinary team together under the one roof.
This includes gynaecologist and clinical director Dr Rosy Buchanan, and midwife and nurse specialist Sarah Pohlner.
They will be supported by a physiotherapist, a social worker, and South West Healthcare’s dietitians and continence nurse.
Appointments will be free of charge, with the clinic located on level four (women’s health service) of the hospital.
The menopause clinic will offer women consultation to understand menopause and peri-menopause, along with menopause hormone therapy (MHT) advice and alternative options, prescription and management.
Referrals will also be available to other services and allied health clinics to assist with symptoms of peri-menopause/menopause including mental and sexual health, and pelvic pain.
Referrals can also be made to assist with sleep, diet and overall health.
The menopause clinic is the latest clinic designed to support the health and wellbeing of women at South West Healthcare alongside pelvic pain physiotherapy (also open to trans patients), the sexual and reproductive health hub (open to all genders) and public fertility care in partnership with The Women’s Hospital.
The clinic will also work alongside the Birth Reflections Clinic, providing support and closure to families (including fathers) who experienced traumatic or an unexpected birth.
Antenatal wellbeing appointments can also be scheduled with a social worker or perinatal psychiatrist.
Menopause can affect a women’s physical, mental and emotional health – and every woman will experience this differently.
“Menopause and perimenopause can have a profound impact on a woman’s life from increasing the likelihood of chronic disease and osteoporosis, to having significant mental health impacts, sleep disturbances and weight gain to name a few,” Dr Rosy Buchanan said.
“For many women menopause can be managed with their GP, but for those who need specialised care, or for those who don’t have access to a GP trained to manage menopause, our clinic is here to assist.”
Chief executive of South West Healthcare Craig Fraser said the service was proud to offer a clinic dedicated to menopause care for women in the region.
“Thanks to funding from the state government’s women’s clinics, we’ve been able to recruit some amazing staff to this team to ensure local women have equal access to specialist menopause care as those in metro areas,” Mr Fraser said.
Women who are unable to see a GP to obtain a referral are encouraged to utilise the free women’s health virtual clinic which is open 9am-5pm weekdays.
To book a free appointment phone 1300 003 224.
