For the first time, the UK has specific legislation to ensure that the priorities of women and girls are reflected in healthcare – something that was clearly needed in our NHS.
Last year I asked you to get involved with the government's call for evidence to help create the first ever Women's Health Strategy. Almost 100,000 women and girls across the country took part, giving the Government an incredible insight into our lived experiences.
The results were clear: thousands of women and girls across our country felt that our voices were too often ignored, and that there was a lack of understanding or awareness about how specific health conditions which affect women.
With your views at the heart of this legislation, here's how women and girls across England will benefit:
- major new research on women's health issues to increase understanding of female-specific health conditions to make sure diagnosis and treatment works for women and the latest evidence and advice is being used in treatment
- it will ensure all doctors are trained to provide the very best care to women by introducing mandatory specific teaching on women's health for all graduating medical students and incoming doctors
- £10 million for breast screening programme to provide 25 new mobile breast screening units for areas which face the greatest challenges in screening uptake
- improvements to fertility services for all women, including removing the existing barriers to IVF for female same-sex couples, and improving transparency on availability of IVF in your area
But it doesn't stop there, the government has already been taking action to address the issues and disparities women face, including:
- investing £127 million to increase and support the maternity NHS workforce to improve neonatal care. This on top of £95 million investment into recruitment of an additional 1,200 midwives
- establishing the UK Menopause Taskforce to raise awareness, encourage workplace support, and consider where further research is needed
- reducing the cost of and improving access to HRT
- banning virginity testing and hymenoplasty in the UK
- enhancing women's reproductive wellbeing in the workplace
This strategy is a major step in the right direction, and by listening to the concerns of women and girls, we can ensure every woman has the opportunity to live her life to her fullest potential.
