The Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) has announced it will explore providing surgical abortions at Wagga Base Hospital. The district hopes to expand reproductive health care in southern New South Wales, where access remains limited.
At present, women seeking a surgical abortion must travel long distances, sometimes up to nine hours, to reach a suitable service. Advocates say this creates major barriers for women across the region.
The MLHD covers 125,000 square kilometres and serves nearly 250,000 people. It includes Wagga Wagga, the largest inland city in NSW. Despite this, surgical abortions are still not available locally, even though the procedure was decriminalised in 2019.
Wagga Women’s Health Centre president Vickie Burkinshaw said the lack of services was unacceptable.
“Wagga is an abortion desert,” she said.
The city has long faced debate over reproductive health, partly due to conservative views within parts of the medical community.
MLHD chief executive Jill Ludford confirmed the investigation during the district’s annual general meeting. She said the issue was complex because some doctors have the legal right to conscientiously object to providing, assisting with, or referring patients for surgical abortions.
Ms Ludford said the health district plans to work with community groups and experts to design a reproductive health plan and explore practical ways to expand care.
The move follows a decision by Wagga Wagga City Council earlier this week to question why so many women are being referred outside the region for pregnancy terminations.
Ms Burkinshaw said women are often forced to travel to locations such as Queanbeyan, Broken Hill, Sydney, Newcastle, and Orange.
“We have to call around to find out who can provide access,” she said.
MLHD data shows most surgical abortion referrals currently go to Wodonga, Canberra, and Sydney. Ms Ludford said the district is now seeking options closer to home and remains committed to improving access.
While a small number of local doctors offer medical abortions up to nine weeks’ gestation, Ms Burkinshaw said this is not always enough.
“Sometimes you don’t have time on your side,” she said. “By the time you get an appointment, it may be too late for a medical option, and surgical abortion is the only choice.”
She said the lack of local services forces women to organise travel, accommodation, and extended time away from home.
“It is an awful and frightening situation for many women,” she said.
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