A new physio program is helping patients with common women’s health issues relieve their symptoms faster and avoid surgery.
The Gynaecology Physiotherapy Screening Clinic service allows women experiencing mixed urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse to see a physiotherapist at the start of their treatment journey, instead of waiting to be seen and referred by a gynaecologist.
Early intervention means symptoms can be improved faster, resulting in fewer women needing a specialist appointment or subsequent surgical intervention.
A Sunshine Coast Health media release said that since introducing the new model of care last year, there had been improvements in category two and three gynaecology outpatient waitlists.
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SCH said the service had already produced success stories, including one woman who suffered urinary incontinence problems after extended bouts of coughing due to respiratory illnesses.
She expected to need surgery but, after seeing the physio under the clinic’s physio program and committing to home exercises, her symptoms dramatically improved and she now no longer requires surgical intervention.
The service is being offered at Sunshine Coast University Hospital. Appointments take place in existing clinic rooms. The service started last year as a pilot, which was recently further funded.
Minister for Health and Women Shannon Fentiman said the new service on the Sunshine Coast was vital.
“We know that living in poor health can impact someone’s ability to hold down a job, care for a loved one, or both,” she said.
“The new Gynaecology Physiotherapy Screening Clinic service is a game-changer for Sunshine Coast women suffering from these conditions.
“By using early physiotherapy treatment, women’s symptoms can be relieved faster and help avoid further intervention.”
Member for Nicklin Robert Skelton said local health workers would be able to better support patients.
“Our Sunshine Coast Health heroes do an incredible job of looking after our community’s healthcare needs.”
“Innovations like the new women’s physio clinic ensure they can continue providing the latest medical treatments to ensure Sunshine Coast women receive the best care possible.”
Sunshine Coast Health chief executive Peter Gillies said the service would allow SCH to “expand and improve the efficiency of our current services”.
“This is an example of the initiatives our staff are driving, to make sure our patients are getting the best care possible,” he said.
“The Gynaecology Physiotherapy Screening Clinic is not only beneficial for women with the specific conditions it’s designed to treat, but it also means patients with other concerns can get a gynaecology appointment sooner.”
Sunshine Coast Health Women’s and Families Service allied health manager Angela Tully said there were positive signs.
“We are already seeing significant results from this service, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from patients with mixed urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse,” she said.
“These conditions are fairly common in women, but likelihood generally increases with age or if symptoms are left untreated for too long.
“Presenting symptoms can interfere with quality of life and cause significant distress to our patients’ both physically and emotionally, so prompt symptom management and improvement is very important to these women.”
“Patients are triaged into the program by a gynaecologist if they meet the criteria.
“They are then provided with advice on how to manage their condition with patients actively encouraged to be involved in their ongoing management plan, which may include further physiotherapy, investigations or follow up with the gynaecologist.
“Once the treating team and patients are satisfied with the outcome, they will be discharged from the service.”
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