Green Whistle Pain Relief Now Available at All Women’s Health Hubs in Victoria
The Allan Labor Government has fulfilled a key promise, making the "green whistle" (Penthrox) free for IUD insertions and removals across all 20 Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs in Victoria.
The rollout follows the Inquiry into Women’s Pain, which highlighted inadequate pain relief during IUD procedures. The initiative is part of a broader effort to address the historic dismissal of women's pain.
"So many women have experienced their pain symptoms being dismissed, and I’m one of them. This is a small but important step – we believe you, we’ll support you, and it’s free." — Premier Jacinta Allan
Key Details
- Free service: The green whistle is now provided at no cost for both IUD insertion and removal.
- Hub services: The 20 hubs offer contraception, medical abortion, referrals for surgical abortion, and STI testing and treatment.
- High demand: Over 11,000 women used hub services in the past year. Nearly 40% were concession card holders, with the majority located in regional areas.
- Government stance: The initiative is framed as giving women greater control over their own care.
Minister’s Response
"Providing the green whistle through our Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs will prevent and ease pain, and save women and girls time and money." — Minister for Health Harriet Shing
Minister Shing also criticized opposition plans to cut $40 billion from the budget, warning that such cuts would negatively affect health access for women across the state.
The green whistle (Penthrox) is a self-administered, inhaled analgesic that provides rapid, short-term pain relief. Its availability in all hubs marks a significant step toward more compassionate, patient-controlled reproductive healthcare in Victoria.