ANMF (Vic Branch) welcomes the release of the Inquiry into Women’s Pain Report 2025, published today, 9 November. The report, with 27 recommendations developed across seven key areas, represents a promise that Victoria has a healthcare system where women are heard and their pain is properly treated.
More than 13,000 Victorian women and girls shared their experiences as part of the Inquiry, with an ANMF’s member survey receiving almost 800 responses in four days. The responses and feedback overwhelmingly supported what ANMF nurses and midwives already know; chronic pain affects a higher proportion of girls and women than men, but that women are less likely to receive appropriate treatment for it.
The inquiry found that many women have unmet healthcare needs, are neglected in research and are subject to sexism and misogyny that lead to women’s pain being inappropriately managed, particularly women living in regional and rural communities, or with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and LGBTIQA+ women.
Nurses and midwives will be central to delivering some of the key reforms recommended in the Report. Nurses made up the majority of healthcare workers who participated in the Inquiry, and the Report acknowledges we need nurses and midwives, working to their full scope of practice, with more Medicare rebates for nurse practitioners and midwives, to close the pain gap.
ANMF (Vic Branch) Secretary Maddy Harradence is a member of the Victorian Women’s Health Advisory Council, established in September 2023 by the state government to guide the strong investment in women’s health and to ensure a more central focus in health policy and funding. The Inquiry into Women’s Pain Report 2025 was co-delivered by the Council.
ANMF (Vic Branch) Secretary Maddy Harradence said ‘For far too long, women’s pain has been under-diagnosed and under-treated.’
‘ANMF nurses and midwives told us they desperately need more research into women’s pain, that they need more comprehensive training into conditions and treatment options – we welcome the commitment to deliver these and other important reforms and ultimately, improve the lives of women.”
“ANMF (Vic Branch) will continue to work with the Victorian Government to deliver improved models of care and service delivery for Victorian girls and women experiencing pain in the future.”
