The health of our patients, visitors and staff is our biggest priority. We have put in place a number of measures to keep our community safe while providing the highest level of care.
In response to COVID-19, the following services have changed or limited access and availablity:
- Clinic appointments
- Elective surgery
- Childbirth Education
- Women's Welcome Centre
- Language Services
- Pastoral and Spiritual Care
Clinic appointments
The Women’s is trialling telehealth - appointments by phone or video call - for some low-risk women with clinic appointments. If you have been identified as suitable for a phone or video appointment, you will be contacted directly and provided with details.
If you still do need to come in to hospital for your appointment, you must come on your own. Please read Your hospital visit or stay for more information.
Elective surgery
To create additional capacity within the health system, all Category 3 and non-urgent Category 2 elective surgery across Victoria have been paused. These government restrictions apply to all public and private hospitals and day procedure centres.
Category 1 and urgent Category 2 surgeries continue to take place. COVID-19 screening and testing is required for all emergency, Category 1 and urgent Category 2 elective surgeries performed under General Anaesthetic (not local anaesthetics or epidurals). Please read Your hospital visit or stay for more information.
Childbirth Education
The Women’s has cancelled its face-to-face childbirth education workshops until further notice. This includes all its education programs that normally run in Parkville and Sandringham, and at community centres in Brunswick, Fawkner, Kensington, North Melbourne and St Kilda.
We have produced an online resource so women and their partners/support people can access childbirth education online. Presented by midwives and childbirth educators, the videos aim to help inform and prepare expectant parents for labour, birth and early parenthood.
You can view the videos on our Childbirth Education page.
Women's Welcome Centre
The Women's Welcome Centre has closed as a public health precaution until further notice.
Staff at the Women's Welcome Centre are still available to take phone and email enquiries between 9am and 5pm, Monday-Friday.
- Email: WWCadmin@thewomens.org.au
- Phone: (03) 8345 3037
Language Services
Interpreters will remain available to any patients that need them. This service will now take place over the phone.
More information on our Language Services can be found here.
Pastoral and Spiritual Care
The Sacred Space at the Royal Women's Hospital is currently closed. Pastoral and Spiritual Care services are still available for patients.
More information on our Pastoral and Spiritual Care can be found here.