Scotland publishes second phase of Women’s Health Plan

Plans to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 and transform gynaecology services, ending long waits, feature in the second phase of Scotland’s women’s health plan.

This phase is backed by more than £2.4m to cut gynaecology waits, taking total investment in gynaecology services to almost £13m this year.

Scotland’s first women’s health plan was published in 2021, the first of its kind in the UK.

Phase two focuses on gynaecology transformation, eliminating cervical cancer, brain health priorities, stronger research, data and information on women’s health, prevention and early intervention across the life course, improving menopause and menstrual health (including endometriosis), and supporting sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing.

A new £350,000 women’s health research fund, in partnership with Wellbeing of Women, has launched to support research in menstrual and gynaecological health, menopause, pelvic floor health, healthy ageing and long-term conditions.

Jenni Minto, women’s health minister, said: “This year, we have already allocated over £10.5m for gynaecology, and I am very pleased to announce today a further commitment of £2.4m to tackle the longest waits – bringing additional funding to nearly £13m.

“Latest data shows that this investment is working, with longest waits for new outpatients having fallen by over 18 per cent.”

Phase Two sets clear targets to transform women’s health in Scotland, ending long gynaecology waits, eliminating cervical cancer, and prioritising brain health to support women to live longer, healthier lives.

Professor Anna Glasier OBE, Scotland’s women’s health champion, said: “Phase Two is ambitious, and rightly so.”

“I want women to be able to get the gynaecology care they need without delay, and for women and girls to have the vaccination and screening necessary to prevent cervical cancer.

“Increasing our focus on prevention and early intervention is vital so women live not just longer, but healthier lives.

“We have a consensus on where we want to get to and importantly, I think we have the commitment and enthusiasm needed to get there.”

Dr Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, added: “We welcome Scotland’s Women’s Health Plan – Phase Two and look forward to supporting the Scottish Government in implementing its ambitions on the ground.

“We are particularly pleased to see the commitment to transform gynaecology services and to tackle long waiting lists, with over 66,000 women across Scotland currently waiting for gynaecology care.

“We also welcome the shift towards prevention, early intervention and to improving women’s health across the life-course, including the focus on tackling inequalities, access to contraception, and the elimination of cervical cancer.

“If implemented successfully, this plan will help women in Scotland to access appropriate gynaecological care more easily, when they need it.”

“We now need the other governments across the UK to go further and faster on women’s health, including tackling the capacity challenges driving the gynaecology waiting list crisis.”