Wes Streeting has committed to addressing the issue of women feeling “gaslit” by healthcare professionals as he unveils a revised women’s health strategy for England.
In advance of the strategy’s release on Wednesday, Streeting criticized the NHS for not adequately serving women and outlined several initiatives aimed at improving their access to necessary healthcare services.
The government announced that the upcoming strategy would introduce a new standard of care that guarantees women receive adequate pain management for invasive medical procedures, including the insertion of contraceptive coils and hysteroscopies.
Additionally, a new trial will link patient feedback directly to provider funding, empowering women to withhold payment for health services they find unsatisfactory.
Measures will also be implemented to reduce the lengthy diagnosis times for conditions like endometriosis, which can take up to ten years for a proper diagnosis.
A report released last month by the women and equalities committee highlighted that the government has not prioritized gynaecological and menstrual health appropriately.
Members of Parliament expressed concern that elements of the ten-year women’s health strategy, initiated by the Conservative government in 2022, may be diminished or halted amid broader NHS reforms. This includes programs aimed at lowering waiting times and enhancing women’s healthcare access, such as the establishment of women’s health hubs.
Sarah Owen, the committee chair and a Labour MP, stated, “This would be devastating for menstrual healthcare among girls and women, which is in urgent need of more support. It is a national scandal that nearly half a million women are on waiting lists for gynaecological services when effective treatments could be available through primary and community care, if only they were accessible.”
The report indicated that women often face “medical misogyny” and are left to endure pain for years due to a lack of understanding regarding women’s health issues.
Streeting remarked, “Women have been let down by a healthcare system that frequently dismisses their pain and regards their symptoms as exaggerated. Whether it’s being shuffled from one appointment to another for conditions like endometriosis and fibroids, or not receiving adequate pain relief during procedures, it is evident that the system is failing women.”
He emphasized the need for women’s perspectives to be at the forefront of delivering effective, respectful, and compassionate care, stating, “We must confront medical misogyny where it counts — in financial terms. The renewed strategy aims to address the daily challenges women face and ensure that every woman’s voice is acknowledged.”
Other initiatives include a £1 million menstrual education program designed to help girls better understand healthy versus unhealthy menstrual cycles.
There will also be a reorganization of clinical pathways for specific women’s health concerns to expedite diagnosis and treatment, alongside a review of support for families who have experienced multiple miscarriages.
The government has also pledged to establish a “single referral point” to ensure that women are directed to the appropriate services from the outset of their healthcare journey.
Dr. Sue Mann, director of women’s health at NHS England, noted that many women are often dismissed regarding serious health concerns that impact their daily lives. She stated, “The renewed women’s health strategy will significantly enhance the ongoing efforts of the NHS to ensure that women’s voices are heard and that they receive the specialized care they require.”
Women’s health organizations have cautiously welcomed the updated strategy. Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, emphasized the importance of decisive action to improve women’s healthcare in England.
