Experts fear surge as Melbourne Sexual Health Centre cuts free walk-in service

Victoria’s only public sexual health clinic has been forced to axe its free walk-in testing and treatment service after turning away more than 4000 patients last year.

Health experts have warned the move will make it harder and more expensive to get tested for sexually transmitted infections, and could fuel their spread in the community at a time when gonorrhoea infections in Victoria have surged by 54 per cent since 2021 and more than 22,000 chlamydia cases were recorded last year.

The Melbourne Sexual Health Centre on Swanston Street recently announced its popular walk-in service was at capacity and moving to a “tele-triage” model that prioritised appointments for the most urgent and complex cases.

Its website now advises patients to seek help elsewhere if they have genital and anal infections not related to STIs, or want an STI check but do not have symptoms. These patients are advised to contact other sexual health services and partner GPs – many of which charge an out-of-pocket fee.

Professor Mark Stoove, head of public health at the Burnet Institute, said successive state governments’ underinvestment had placed extraordinary demand on the clinic. It had more than 53,000 presentations last year, representing a 30 per cent rise from five years ago.

“Having one sexual health centre that provides free sexual health services for a state the size of Victoria has been recognised for a long time as not good enough,” he said.

He said that by comparison, NSW had around 50 public sexual health clinics across the state.

Stoove labelled the government’s new sexual health model as “suboptimal,” arguing its reliance on private GPs creates significant financial barriers due to out-of-pocket fees.

He also said he is particularly concerned about what the changes will mean for patients without Medicare cards, who will have to pay full fees.

In February, Robbie Dettmann tried to access anonymous STI testing at the Swanston Street clinic and found the doors locked. It was then that he discovered the clinic was no longer offering its walk-in service.

He spent 45 minutes on the phone waiting to speak to the clinic’s triage nurse, who then referred him to his GP (who was booked out for three weeks), and then the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department.

“Most people aren’t going to wait on hold for 45 minutes during their lunch break,” Dettmann said. “If it isn’t free, and it isn’t anonymous, they simply won’t go.” Eventually, he secured an emergency appointment with his GP and paid an out-of-pocket fee of $70.

Dettmann, who teaches at a private college in the city, fears the situation will hurt international students, particularly those who have previously been unable to access testing in their home countries due to stigma and discrimination or who do not possess a Medicare card.

“These cohorts are often at higher risk for STIs but lack the financial means for private GP consultations,” he said.

“It’s a major health issue because if they aren’t tested, the spread remains unchecked across the entire community.”

A spokesperson for the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre said Victorians in need would continue to receive the same expert care with less time spent in a waiting room.

“Rather than walk-in and wait, our patients now book an appointment,” they said.

“This avoids potentially lengthy time spent waiting to see a doctor when being at work or doing other important things may be preferred.”

They said most patients are given a same-day appointment and are seen within 10 minutes of their agreed arrival time. They also said patients could remain anonymous if they wished.

“Anyone in Victoria seeking accessible, culturally safe and timely sexual health care is encouraged to give us a call.”

A senior health source, who was not authorised to speak publicly, said the state government had grossly underfunded sexual health services in Victoria.

“Funding has not kept up with demand,” they said.

“Any changes to the service delivery pattern undermines the only true public sexual health clinic. It is really concerning at a time when we are seeing rising STIs.”

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier is concerned the change could lead to people falling through the cracks.

“With an increase in STIs and a greater demand for services, the government needs to ensure that these vital health services are provided with the support they need,” she said.

A state government spokesman said the new model prioritised the most urgent, complex cases and helped patients access care that was quicker and closer to home.

“We’re continuing to invest strongly in specialist and community-based sexual health services to make it easier for people to get tested and treated early,” he said.

He said sexual health care was delivered through a broad network including general practice, community health services, Sexual Health Victoria and Aboriginal health services.

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