Become a member and save!
You’re just a few clicks away from a discounted consultation at SHFPACT!
SHFPACT strives to provide a high quality healthcare service. Our consultation times are generally longer than in general practice, and we provide a specialised reproductive and sexual health service. Quality care is however expensive to provide and the membership discount is one way we can make sure you receive the very best service and the time you need with our team of reproductive and sexual health doctors, nurses, counsellors and educators, without breaking the budget.
WHAT DO YOU GET AS A MEMBER
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Special members discount rates for consultations at SHFPACT clinic and Canberra Menopause Centre
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5% discount on bookshop purchases and free use of library services
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Free or discounted attendance at health information and special events
For example: Healthy Menopause Information Evenings by the Canberra Menopause Centre, Parent Information Evenings about communicating with your children and young people about puberty, relationships, etc. -
SHFPACT members enews that will keep you updated with special members events, activities and other SHFPACT services.
WE ARE MAKING OUR SERVICES MORE AFFORDABLE FOR EVERYONE
Case Study
Laila is a young women who comes to SHFPACT for her two-yearly pap test.
One of her friends told her about the free service she received. As a young mum on a low income, she has a health care concession card. Under SHFPACT’s concessions policy, she is entitled to a free (funded by ACT Government) or bulk-billed service. For a routine pap test, Laila sees a nurse for a half-hour appointment, where she is also able to ask some questions about gynaecological health she feels too embarrassed to ask the male family doctor she takes her children to. Laila does not need to pay for the service she receives, and she cannot afford the standard fee anyway. The services Laila used would have cost $50 at non-member full fee rate. Laila joins as a member at the concession rate of $15, which she can afford, and feels happy that she has been able to contribute something and support services.
Case Study
Peter attends SHFPACT with his partner Ana; they have planned a third baby, but are finding it difficult to get pregnant.
After seeing the range of services offered by SHFPACT, Peter returns a couple of weeks later to see a doctor on his own because he is worried about whether it is his own fertility that might be part of the problem. Peter joins as a member for $35. He has two appointments to help identify any issues, including a sexual health screen, and receives a referral to a specialist for further follow up. While in the waiting room for one visit, Peter picks up a book about puberty, sexual development and relationships, which he purchases. He also sees information about an upcoming parent information evening on these topics, and decides to attend to help with ‘the talk’ that is coming soon for his older children. As a SHFPACT member, Peter saves $77.50 through member rates and benefits.
ADDITIONAL SHFPACT MEMBERSHIPS BENEFITS
Some categories of membership also provide additional benefits, such as:
- Discounted or free hire of training and counselling rooms
- The right to vote at Annual General Meetings (organisational and professional membership categories) (members of the Association only)
- Discounts on professional development training programs (organisational and professional membership categories)
If you are interested in these additional benefits, please contact the reception team for more information.
YOU’RE NOT JUST SAVING MONEY, BUT ALSO SUPPORTING A VAULABLE COMMUNITY SERVICE
Case Study
Margaret has begun to experience symptoms related to menopause.
After a brief consultation with her GP, Margaret makes an appointment at the Canberra Menopause Centre service offered by SHFPACT. She has a consultation with the doctor, and another with the clinic nurse to talk about lifestyle adjustments to help manage symptoms better. She also purchases a recommended book about menopause from the SHFPACT bookshop, and attends a healthy menopause information evening a couple of months later. Margaret joins as a member for $35. As a member, she saves $91.25 through member rates and benefits.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO BECOME A SHFPACT MEMBER?
Membership costs only $35 per year, or $15 for concession (young people under 25, healthcare card holders, pensioners). Membership lasts for one year from the date you join, and you are entitled to all benefits for that time.
WHY WOULD I WANT TO JOIN?
The people who use our services are a very diverse group. Many people say that they aren’t aware of the range of activities and services SHFPACT provides in the Canberra community that may be useful for themselves or others they know. Membership is one way to be informed about these services and activities through our regular online member newsletter. In addition to the discounts and benefits Friends of SHFPACT members receive, members and clients say they join because:
WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO BE A MEMBER, CAN I STILL USE THE SERVICE?
Yes. Non-members simply pay the standard fee for the clinic consultation or other service that they use provided by SHFPACT.
Case Study
Jen is a young professional who comes to the SHFPACT clinic for a regular sexual health test.
During the consultation, she asks the nurse about her contraception, who gives her some information and helps make an appointment to see a doctor to review her contraceptive options. Jen thinks that a new long-acting reversible contraception option like the IUD might work better for her, and talks about this at the next appointment with the doctor who agrees it is a good option for her. She has two further appointments to have an IUD inserted and checked. Jen joins as a member for $35 at her first appointment, and she saves $75 through member rates and benefits. As a member, the total for getting the IUD costs Jen $362 upfront (three appointments, and $37 for the device itself from the pharmacy on the PBS). Jen receives $141.45 back in Medicare rebates. Over the five years the IUD is effective, Jen has paid about $44 per year for one of the most effective “set and forget” contraception options available.
Case Study
Adam is young apprentice studying at CIT and working part-time.
He first learned about SHFPACT’s services during an outreach sexual health testing campaign for chlamydia at a music festival a few years ago. Since then, he gets an annual sexual health check-up. As a low-income earner and student, he receives a free (funded by ACT Government) or bulk-billed service when he comes to SHFPACT. He is a member of SHFPACT, paying the concession rate of $15, and likes that he is contributing back to supporting community programs like the one that first raised his awareness of looking after his sexual health, and the sexual health of his partners. The annual check-up with a doctor would leave Adam $77.95 out of pocket at the non-member full-fee rate.
JOINING SHFPACT IS EASY!
Most clinic clients will want to join the Friends of SHFPACT category — button below. This gives you all membership benefits, but without the voting rights and obligations of members of the Association. You can pay via PayPal or Credit Card online or request an invoice that will include information on payment options.
AT THE CLINIC
Membership forms are available at the reception area at SHFPACT if you’d like to join at the time of your visit. New members will be asked to complete the membership information and you will pay at the time of consultation. We recommend joining online if you are able before your consultation to minimise the paperwork.