Stigma towards Marie Stopes’ doctors key reason for clinic closures
Finding regional clinicians to join the team got so hard the organisation was flying in doctors, but that's not sustainable, says managing director Jamal Hakim.
Stigma faced by doctors providing abortion services in country areas is a “major challenge” and one of the key reasons the last four regional Marie Stopes clinics are to be closed, according to its managing director.
This week Marie Stopes announced services in Rockhampton, Townsville and Southport in Queensland, and in Newcastle in NSW will close by August.
The move means there will be no clinics in regional areas, with services now limited to in five cities in Queensland, WA, SA, NSW and Victoria.
Marie Stopes Australia managing director Jamal Hakim said the “tough decision” was made as operating physical clinics in regional areas was no longer financially viable amid ongoing challenges in recruiting staff and significant financial losses.
