The appointment follows a Women’s Health Grampians and University of Melbourne study last year.

The Rural GPs and Unintended Pregnancy in the Grampians, Pyrenees and Wimmera Regions study looked at GP referral practices and service needs and gaps in managing unintended pregnancy.

The results indicated there was significant scope for improving knowledge, services and referral pathways.

It found less than a third of the general practitioners surveyed would “sometimes or always” discuss medical abortion with women presenting with an unintended pregnancy. 

Women’s Health Grampians chief executive Marianne Hendron said the group had appointed a project worker for 12 months.

“(The project worker) started three weeks ago and is undertaking her induction now, and then will be out and about,” she said.

“She will be following up on the research project and working with various organisations to ensure that the referral pathway information is really clear for GPs around a range of options for women facing unintended pregnancy and other reproductive health issues.

“She will work with them to ensure that information is readily accessible, and that doctors are aware of where to get information.

“The role is also intended to look at some of the barriers that might exist in GPs offering medical termination, and the best way to address those.

“And it’s not just about GPs – it’s also having access to pharmacies who stock medication, so there are a number of components.”

When the study findings were released in October last year, Ms Hendron said she was surprised by the high levels of conscientious objection, and inconsistencies in knowledge of termination services and options, particularly in regards to medical termination. 

“This is particularly worrying because medical termination has been a legal and safe option in Australia since 2012,” she said. 

“It is very time-dependent, so women need to know about and access the option early. It should be more available to rural women.”