Problem periods, menopause and maternity care are the top priorities to be tackled through the Women’s Health Strategy in 2024, the Government has announced.
Plans also include support for domestic and sexual abuse victims, health and social care Secretary Victoria Atkins said during a speech at an event in London yesterday.
It is the second year of the initiative which in the past 12 months has reduced the cost of HRT and rolled out specialist women’s health hubs, she said.
Better care for menstrual and gynaecological conditions is one of the key priorities for this year through producing guidance for healthcare professionals, continuing to improve information and support for women suffering from painful heavy periods and endometriosis, and promoting easier access to contraception, the Government said.
The Office for National Statistics will also be looking into the impact of period problems and endometriosis on women’s participation and progress at work, Ms Atkins said.
Women’s health hubs will also be expanded further to reduce inequalities in access to care for menstrual problems, contraception, pelvic pain, and menopause, she added.
The target is to establish one ‘fully functioning hub’, in every local area this year, she said.
This year, there will also be a greater focus on preconception and postnatal care for women and support for women around pregnancy loss.
It follows detailed guidance published by NHS England in December on for GPs on doing a ‘more comprehensive’ postnatal health check.
Draft guidelines on menopause published by NICE in November have been criticised for some campaigners for a lack of balance around the benefits of HRT.
A group of MPs has also been calling for discussion of menopause to be included in NHS health checks for women over 40.
Ms Atkins, said: ‘We’re breaking historical barriers that prevent women getting the care they need, building greater understanding of women’s healthcare issues and ensuring their voices and choices are listened to.
‘We’ve made huge progress – enabling almost half a million women access to cheaper HRT, supporting women through the agony of pregnancy loss and opening new women’s health hubs – but I absolutely recognise there is more to do.
She added: ‘We’re ensuring these changes benefit all women, regardless of socioeconomic background or ethnicity, because our Women’s Health Strategy is only a success if it works for all women.’
Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Women’s Health Ambassador, said: ’I want women everywhere to feel confident that when they seek advice from their healthcare professional, whether it’s for heavy or painful periods or issues following birth, they know they are going to receive world-class treatment.’
Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said improving care and treatment for women with gynaecological conditions such as endometriosis and fibroids, which can have a huge impact on quality of life is hugely welcome.
‘We have continually called for action to improve waiting lists in gynaecology services and know that women’s health hubs present a real opportunity to improve women’s health outcomes, and reduce inequalities in access and outcomes for women across the country.’
Yes, she has done well, hasn’t she, with ‘Women’s Health Hubs’ all over the place doing nothing and seeing no-one, whilst Family PLanning and Sexual Health Clinics are closing and withdrawing to remote central hubs instead of local community services; HRT is cheaper, but only if you can get it, more inconvenient due to gaps in availability and driving hours to find the chemist that has it; At least we have found the answer to all youngsters with ‘problem periods’ – they need urgent referral to Gynae for scans and endoscopes (neither can be done in GP), to achieve a diagnosis of endometriosis, for which we have few treatments of choice for young ladies who might want to retain fertility; and the usual problem getting hold of what is allowed from the pharmacy, if available at all – but meanwhile, no, you cannot have effective nsaids, just buy your own Nurofen. (sarcasm alert)