Women’s health among the UK government’s priorities in 2024

The UK’s health secretary has named menstrual and gynaecological conditions and women’s health research among the government’s priorities in 2024.

Speaking at the Women’s Health Summit in London to mark the second year of the Women’s Health Strategy for England, Victoria Atkins said it would also prioritise improving maternity care and support for mothers who suffer birth trauma.

“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 are listened to,” she said.

“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.

“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.”

The 2024 priorities were developed from responses to the government’s call for evidence from over 100,000 healthcare professionals, women’s health champions, members of the public and other stakeholders across the health sector.

They aim to offer better care for menstrual and gynaecological conditions , expand women’s health hubs, tackle disparities and improve support for vulnerable women, bolster maternity care and accelerate research.

“Helping women and girls who suffer from bad periods can make a huge difference to their lives, education and careers. And any woman who has experienced trauma after giving birth – either mentally or physically – will know the impact it can have on all aspects of her life,” said Minister for Women’s Health, Maria Caulfield.

“These are issues that impact women but they should not be seen as ‘women’s problems’ – it is an everyone problem. We are doing more to put these issues on the agenda and keep them there, to close the gender health gap once and for all.

“We’ve made enormous strides in the first year of the strategy and I’m excited to see what 2024 will bring.”

As well as announcing its new priorities, the government announced the reappointment of Professor Dame Lesley Regan as women’s health ambassador for England for a further two years.

Professor Dame Lesley was appointed as the women’s health ambassador in 2022 and brings a raft of expertise spanning a 44-year career in women’s health as a practising clinician.

Speaking at the summit, she said: “Our Women’s Health Strategy is ambitious. It was created to ensure our healthcare system places women’s health on an equal footing to men.

“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.

“This is the ultimate goal of the strategy, and I am delighted that we have made such positive progress in the first year and generated so much enthusiastic help to succeed.”

She added: “This coming year offers us the opportunity of taking further steps forward in delivering better healthcare outcomes for every woman in our society.”

Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, said: “Women’s health has long been an underfunded and under-researched area.

“Implementing the aspirations in the Women’s Health Strategy will provide a much needed boost to turning this around, improving treatment and the lives of those suffering from endometriosis and menstrual health conditions.

“At Endometriosis UK, we know that many women face an unacceptable delay in securing a diagnosis and appropriate care. With sufficient funding and support, women’s health hubs could offer a real opportunity to drive down diagnosis times and support women to access the support they need.”

Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, added: “The focus on improving care and treatment for women with gynaecological conditions, such as endometriosis and fibroids, which are often progressive, and have a huge impact on a woman’s 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.

“I am also glad to see that ensuring high quality care following birth trauma, an area of care which has long been a professional and personal passion of mine, has been recognised as a key focus for government.”

Chief nursing officer for England, Ruth May, said: “The NHS is committed to ensuring women’s individual healthcare needs are met, which is why every area of England is being supported to develop a women’s health hub alongside the rollout of a network of Women’s Health Champions.

“The NHS is also rolling out dedicated pelvic health clinics and every local health system now has a specialist community perinatal mental health team, but there is clearly more to do.”