Pelvic Pain Victoria Responds to the Victorian Government’s Bridging the Gender Pain Gap Report
Pelvic Pain Victoria welcomes the release of the Victorian Government’s Bridging the Gender Pain Gap report and strongly supports its focus on workforce development, earlier diagnosis, and improved access to specialist care for people experiencing pain.
As an independent, clinician-led, multidisciplinary organisation, Pelvic Pain Victoria brings together medical specialists, pelvic physiotherapists, psychologists, nurses, pain specialists and allied health professionals who work on the frontline of pelvic pain care across both public and private health settings. Our mission is clear: to improve outcomes for people with complex pelvic pain through education, collaboration, advocacy and community-building.
Pelvic Pain Victoria recently convened the Politics and Public Pain Roundtable, facilitated by Jess Taylor from ACE. Insights from this forum informed our detailed submission to the Victorian Inquiry into Women’s Pain, and we are pleased to see key issues we raised reflected in the final report - particularly the need for better clinician education, clearer care pathways, and greater coordination across the sector.
“We see the suffering of women with pelvic pain every day,” said Pelvic Pain Victoria President Dr Marilla Druitt. “Many experience delayed diagnosis, fragmented care and significant barriers to accessing specialised support. The Government’s report acknowledges these gaps and provides a foundation for meaningful reform. We welcome the opportunity to be part of the solution.”
The organisation is particularly encouraged by Recommendation 3: Workforce Development, including Recommendation 3.4: the development of a Victorian Clinician Advice Service to support health workers in navigating women’s pain and pelvic pain.
“Pelvic Pain Victoria is uniquely positioned to contribute to this work,” said PPV Secretary and Pain specialist Dr Karin Jones. “Our members are experts in their fields, actively delivering clinical care, teaching, research and professional education. We are ready to collaborate with government on the design and delivery of training, mentoring, and statewide capability-building initiatives that will help clinicians better recognise and manage pelvic pain.”
Pelvic Pain Victoria’s strengths include:
A multidisciplinary membership with deep clinical experience
Strong public–private sector reach
Established partnerships with national and international pelvic pain organisations
Expertise in clinician education, curriculum development and professional training
On-the-ground insights into system gaps and lived patient experiences
A commitment to trauma-informed, intersectional, patient-centred care
“We look forward to further discussions with government and health system partners,” Dr Druit said. “Together we can close the gender pain gap and ensure that all women in Victoria receive timely, coordinated, evidence-based care.”
Pelvic Pain Victoria remains committed to advocating for improved care pathways, strengthening professional education and championing the needs of people experiencing pelvic pain.
