SYDNEY — The Powell St Clinic (Bessie Smyth Foundation) in Homebush in Sydney's west opened in 1977 to provide a service to women that was different, and still is, from many other abortion services.
The clinic's services are not for profit, and they are women-focused. This means it provides supportive and non-judgmental counselling for every woman.
Counselling involves providing accurate and comprehensive information, not only about abortion, but also about contraception, sexuality and women's health. Counselling occurs prior to the provision of medically safe, lawful abortions for women up to 12 weeks from their last period.
The clinic offers abortions under local anaesthetic or intravenous sedation. Pre- and post-termination counselling is available for those who require it. As well, we offer a range of sexual health services and referrals to other organisations if needed.
Our reproductive and sexual health care services reflect the clinic's commitment to the visibility and specific needs of lesbian, bisexual and queer women, sex industry workers and women living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
Has the dollar become so important that women are not being treated in a holistic fashion when it comes to the provisions of abortions? In the provision of abortion it seems that other services have become so medicalised and mechanised that women's needs — which have not changed — are getting lost in "the system". This clinic continues to operate as a non-profit, woman-centred service, with staff who are committed to women's right to control their own fertility and to be treated with the utmost care and respect at all times.
The Powell St Clinic is located in a lovely heritage house and its environment invokes a warm and friendly atmosphere.
The clinic days are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning. We can be reached by telephone on 9764 4133 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings, and by fax on 9764 1844.