Women’s Clinic Brings Free Healthcare to Fletcher Street Cottage

With support from Healthy North Coast, women accessing Fletcher Street Cottage can connect with free, trauma-informed healthcare in a familiar and welcoming setting.

For some women, making a medical appointment can feel daunting. Past experiences, financial pressure, housing insecurity and other challenges can make it harder to seek care or keep up with ongoing treatment.

A partnership between Byron Community Centre and OneBridge is helping change that. Through the Women’s Health Access Program, women can speak with nursing staff at Fletcher Street Cottage at the Women's Clinic, alongside the meals, practical help and community support already available there.

The program received a $50,000 grant from Healthy North Coast through its Primary Care Impact Grants Chronic Disease Prevention Program. By bringing healthcare into Fletcher Street Cottage’s Women’s Space, women can access support in a place they know and trust.

From 1 December 2025 to 12 October 2026, the clinic recorded 206 engagements, including 37 nursing consultations and 169 conversations and social support interactions. 28 women accessed the program as new patients.

Care has included health education, preventative health support, medication assistance, wound care and help with mental health and alcohol and other drug concerns. Nurses also developed four chronic disease care plans and supported referrals to general practitioners, allied health and specialist services.

The impact is reflected not only in these activities, but in how women feel about coming back. One patient shared:

“I’ll come back next week because this doesn’t feel like a scary medical chat.”

That sense of safety is central to the program. A conversation, reassurance or first appointment can help someone feel ready to talk about their health and consider ongoing care.

Healthy North Coast’s support has helped make that possible at Fletcher Street Cottage. The partnership shows how accessible healthcare, delivered in a trusted community setting, can help women take an important first step towards better health and wellbeing.