A cervical screening service has been launched at East Grampians Health Service through Well Women's Clinics. 

Nurse cervical screening provider Julie Lang joined the health service in January and will provide appointments at a range of times designed to cater to women with differing schedules.

Ms Lang has been a nurse cervical screening provider since 1997, focusing on rural communities throughout Western Victoria, and said she is looking forward to providing a service that provides flexibility for all women, including those who find appointments during office hours difficult to access.

The program follows changes to the National Cervical Screening Program.

Previously women aged between 18 and 69 were encouraged to have a pap test every two years.

This has been replaced with a new recommendation, encouraging women between 25 and 74 to undergo a human papillomavirus test every five years.

Women are due for their first cervical screening test at the age of 25 or two years after their last Pap test. 

Every year around 800 Australian women are diagnosed with cervical cancer.

However most cervical cancer is preventable with regular screening.

Dates and times scheduled for Well Women’s Clinics for the next six months are as follows:

The cost for this service is $10.50 for concession cardholders and $15.50 for non-concession cardholders.

For further inquiries or to make an appointment for all clinics, please phone reception at East Grampians Health Service Community Health Centre on 03 5352 9327.

Meanwhile, Ballarat Health Services Mental Health Services has issued a call-out for residents to join one of it's three mental health advisory groups. 

The call-out asks residents to bring along their expertise and passion to one of three information sessions to be held in Ballarat, Horsham and Ararat.

The sessions will provide details on how to become part of the Family Advisory Council or the Youth Advisory Group. 

Consumer feedback will also be sought on different models proposed for the Consumer Advisory Committee. 

The Consumer Advisory Committee is a group of members that works together to ensure that consumers, families and carers views are recognised and valued, and are reflected in service delivery and policy development within Ballarat Health Services Mental Health Services. 

The role of the Committee and Groups is to increase community, consumer and carer involvement within the services.

The group also has an important role in providing advice and recommendations, as well as consumer and carer representation.

The group brings a community perspective to the development of priority areas and key issues to strengthen participation at all levels of planning and delivery.

The sessions will be as follows:

Ararat Session

Tuesday 26th February, 1pm at Ararat Hospital, Girdlestone Street.

Horsham Session

Tuesday 26th February, 5:45pm at 3 Robinson Street, Horsham.

Ballarat Session

Tuesday 19th February, refreshments from 4.30pm for a 5pm start at Gardiner-Pittard foyer, Ballarat Base Hospital (enter via Drummond Street).

RSVP to robyn.fowler@bhs.org.au.

The sessions are free and are open to all residents.

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