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Women’s Health Strategy
16 April 2026
Lead MP
Karin Smyth
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
NHSWomen & Equalities
Other Contributors: 27
At a Glance
Karin Smyth raised concerns about women’s health strategy in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The NHS has failed to provide equitable care for women, leaving them to navigate a confusing system and often being dismissed by medical professionals. The Government have taken several measures to improve women's health, including bringing down gynaecology waiting lists, introducing menopause questions into routine health checks, making the morning-after pill available for free at pharmacies, standing up an independent investigation into maternity services, and implementing Jess’s rule. However, significant disparities exist, with the wealthiest 10% of women living almost a decade longer than the poorest 10%, and black and Asian women facing double discrimination. The renewed strategy aims to address these issues by ensuring faster care, simpler access to needed treatments, and incorporating patient feedback. It includes trials for 'patient power payments' that will fund improvements based on patients’ satisfaction levels. Integrated care boards are introducing single points of access for gynaecology services, redesigning pathways to remove delays, and prioritising women’s health in NHS Online. Funding for the NHS is at a record £26 billion, and there is a focus on embedding sex and gender policies into research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The goal is to create an equitable system that listens with respect, dignity, and compassion.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Question
The Minister did not provide a timeline for issuing guidance on single-sex spaces despite her predecessor's promise to do so 'in the coming weeks before the summer'. Will she explain why this has been delayed?
Minister reply
The Government have faced challenges due to purdah rules around local elections and are committed to ensuring robust guidance is issued at the appropriate time.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Question
Why has there been no response to the Hughes report on pelvic mesh despite almost two years in office?
Minister reply
The Government are committed to addressing issues raised by the Hughes report and aim to provide a detailed response shortly.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Question
What is the timeline for implementing the lobular breast cancer moon shot project, which was previously committed to?
Minister reply
The Government remain committed to advancing cancer research projects including the lobular breast cancer initiative, with specific timelines currently under review.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Question
There is confusion about waiting time rules for GPs referring patients to consultants. Will the Minister confirm that waits will be accurately reflected from when advice requests are received, not after initial consultations?
Minister reply
The Government intend to clarify referral guidance and ensure accurate wait times from the moment of request to improve patient experience.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Question
Why are Healthwatch views being deprioritised in favour of organisation-led feedback?
Minister reply
The women’s voices partnership will enhance engagement with organisations that represent diverse groups, including those most excluded from traditional services.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Question
Why is there no mention of condoms in the strategy despite rising sexually transmitted infections?
Minister reply
The strategy focuses on a range of health initiatives, including contraception access. Condom distribution remains an important area but is addressed through other programmes.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Question
How many DEXA scanners are new or replacements for existing ones in the fracture liaison service initiative?
Minister reply
The Government is committed to establishing universal fracture liaison services by 2030, with ongoing efforts to ensure accurate deployment of resources.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Question
Expressed disappointment with the delayed women’s health strategy, questioning guidance on single-sex spaces due to purdah rules before elections. Criticised lack of response to the Hughes report after nearly two years in office. Asked about commitment to the lobular breast cancer moon shot project and waiting list statistics.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the welcome but stated that cross-party agreement is rare. Defended NHS Online as a game changer for women's services, trialling gynaecology support with community diagnostic centres expansion. Promised to set out work on DEXA scanners and fracture liaison services.
Question
Welcomed the strategy and inquired about harnessing allied health professionals for pelvic health, such as incontinence and prolapse care.
Minister reply
Acknowledged Sonia Kumar's expertise and praised her representation of physiotherapy. Emphasised the importance of women feeling confident with physiotherapy advice from AHPs, highlighting future developments in the strategy.
Danny Chambers
Lib Dem
Question
The Liberal Democrats welcome the strategy's recognition of socioeconomic and racial disparities in women’s healthcare, specifically addressing endometriosis. The hon. Member highlights that at least one in 10 women suffer from endometriosis and there are over 500,000 people on gynaecology waiting lists. He also mentions an increase in maternal mortality by over 20% in the past 15 years, calling for one-to-one midwifery care and specialist doctors on every unit. The hon. Member questions whether this strategy will deliver meaningful change after previous failed attempts.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the importance of endometriosis campaigns led by women and men like the hon. Gentleman's partner, Emma. She mentions the work of Sir David Amess and her right hon. Friend the Member for Redcar in chairing the all-party parliamentary group on endometriosis. The strategy includes a list of 102 actions with dates aligned to them, and Baroness Merron will be monitoring delivery. NHS Online's roll-out during summer is seen as a litmus test.
Jennifer Craft
Lab
Question
The hon. Member welcomes the women’s health strategy and highlights emails from constituents suffering from endometriosis, noting their experiences of debilitating pain, financial struggles, housing issues, job impacts, and relationship challenges due to lack of recognition and support.
Minister reply
The Minister thanks her hon. Friend for raising this issue and acknowledges the bravery of women who continue to raise their voices despite their experiences. She highlights the importance of clinicians and influencers in giving voice to these women.
Andrew Snowden
Con
Question
The hon. Member asks about the strategy's impact on lifelong stoma care for women, mentioning his wife’s experience with colostomies or ileostomies and the complexities involving periods, fertility, pregnancy, and menopause.
Minister reply
The Minister thanks the hon. Gentleman for raising this issue and highlights the importance of bringing voices forward in developing this strategy. She mentions the use of online services and neighbourhood services to facilitate care closer to home.
Question
The hon. Member welcomes the Minister’s statement and brings up the issue of sexual health doctors retiring in the next three years, with only 14 training places available, raising concerns about new doctor pathways to ensure women's sexual health care.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms that they are looking at retaining expertise and recruiting people into new roles as part of their workforce plan.
Luke Taylor
Con
Question
On behalf of the newly established APPG on urinary tract infections, the hon. Member welcomes the strategy’s acknowledgment that women’s health has been neglected and requests confirmation that commitments to redesign urogynaecology pathways cover treatment for acute, recurrent and chronic UTIs.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the work led by Dr Gardner on this issue, emphasising their commitment to make this work in reality. She suggests hearing from the APPG about its expertise and ongoing efforts.
Battersea
Question
I welcome the Government’s renewed women’s health strategy and their efforts to tackle ethnic disparities in healthcare. However, there are persistent gaps that require robust interventions for racial barriers faced by black women within the healthcare system. Can the Minister say a little bit about how the strategy will seek to address these gaps?
Minister reply
The minister thanked Marsha de Cordova and mentioned the establishment of a voices group in Whitehall for direct representation, working with stakeholder groups and their representatives, and focusing on online services and bringing things into neighbourhoods.
Question
I commend the Minister's strategy and specifically action 59, which is to invest in the women’s maternity and neonatal estate. I am grateful for agreeing to meet about power cuts at Eastbourne district general hospital that have affected the maternity unit. However, an invitation extended to me and two guests has been withdrawn. Can the Minister confirm if those guests can attend?
Minister reply
The minister confirmed a meeting with Josh Babarinde during her ministerial surgery.
Melanie Onn
Lab
Great Grimsby
Question
I congratulate my hon. Friend on the strategy and highlight Jodie Goodwin’s case where she has been refused a hysterectomy due to funding issues despite medical advice. Can the Minister advise if the strategy will address such matters and would she make time available to discuss this case?
Minister reply
The minister thanked Melanie Onn and offered to meet her to discuss Jodie's case further.
Question
I welcome the Minister’s statement on women’s health. A constituent has waited over 200 days for gynaecological test results, causing anxiety and delays in treatment. The constituent argues that this is part of a broader failure in recognising menstrual pain. Does my hon. Friend agree with this perspective and can she tell more about how the strategy will improve gynaecological care?
Minister reply
The minister agreed with Leigh Ingham's constituent’s experience, noting access to diagnostics as a key part of the 10-year health plan and mentioned rolling out community diagnostic centres. She also highlighted work on streamlining clinical pathways with the Minister for patient safety.
Rachael Maskell
Lab
York Central
Question
The strategy highlights poor mental health disproportionately affecting women, but action 49 only says 'we will improve mental health support for women and girls'. Will they produce a strategy to deliver on this and how will progress be measured?
Minister reply
The minister thanked Rachael Maskell and noted that the document contains a list of actions with clear dates for measuring progress.
Question
Women who were prescribed banned anti-miscarriage drug DES have faced struggles in accessing care. Will the Minister consider meeting DES campaigners to ensure their voices are part of this strategy?
Minister reply
The minister mentioned that her hon. Friend the Minister for patient safety has met with DES campaigners, and they will continue listening to and learning from their experiences.
Question
As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on endometriosis, I thank the ministerial team for focusing on that condition in the strategy. A new programme to improve menstrual health education is included but does the Minister agree that there must also be education for clinicians?
Minister reply
The minister thanked Kirsteen Sullivan and highlighted the work of Sir David Amess and Anna Turley, noting that many people including clinicians need to recognise symptoms at an early opportunity.
Question
I welcome this strategy but before being elected I did not know enough about women’s health issues. Since then, I have been contacted by tens of women across Burnley, Padiham and Brierfield fighting for recognition on these topics. Will the Minister give a commitment to campaigners that they will now be heard?
Minister reply
The minister thanked Oliver Ryan, mentioned the need to talk about these issues openly, and welcomed all allies in making sure that women’s voices are heard.
Polly Billington
Con
Bolton South East
Question
I thank my hon. Friend for her announcement of this strategy. In particular, I welcome the fact that the strategy says that it will be made simpler and faster for women to access the care that they need the first time they ask for it. More than eight in 10 women say that there have been times when healthcare professionals did not listen to them. One such woman was my constituent Daizy Bing, who, at the age of 17, came to me to raise her concerns. She had been told by her GP that she was too young to have an endometriosis diagnosis. Thanks to my intervention, she got a gynaecological appointment, but we all know that an MP’s surgery should not be the gateway to decent healthcare. Daizy has turned her experience into academic research. Will my hon. Friend meet her, so that her insights can inform the delivery of this ambitious and game-changing strategy?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend again raises younger women’s voices; we want to continue to hear from them. Part of this strategy is about working with the Department for Education to ensure that girls—and indeed boys—are made more aware of some of these issues. The women’s voices partnership—my apologies for not quite being able to remember its name earlier—will bring women together, including younger women and girls. If her constituent is keen to be one of those advocates, we would welcome that. We are talking about having new patient-reported experience measures and patient-reported outcome measures; we will develop those pathways over the years. Through that, women will have clear ways to navigate the system, and to put their voices forward.
Samantha Niblett
Con
Great Yarmouth
Question
I thank the Ministers for this renewed women’s health strategy for England. Two of my constituents in particular—Evie Solomon, who founded HER Circle, and Shelly Lynn—will welcome the focus on medical misogyny, and they will be watching to make sure that we deliver. It was great to hear that there were influencers at the launch of the strategy yesterday. I met one of them, Milly Evans, who is a sex educator. Is there space in the women’s health strategy and the men’s health strategy for the provision of lifelong sex education, so that we have consistent, relevant and appropriate sex education for everyone who needs it? Frankly, women who have health issues still want a fulfilling and happy sex life.
Minister reply
As I said, part of this strategy is about educating girls and boys on health and bringing together all parts of education. We are keen to work in new ways with new media, and with influencers who are positive about women and women’s health, and we will continue to do so.
Harlow
Question
I thank the Minister for her statement, and for her ongoing commitment to ensuring that women’s health is at the heart of this Government’s agenda, which is hugely important. A bit like my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Oliver Ryan), I was shocked by the number of women from my constituency of Harlow who came forward to tell me about their terrible experiences of being gaslit, ignored and disrespected, particularly when it came to endometriosis and the pelvic mesh scandal. My constituent Belinda, when she was 36 years old, went to the GP complaining of head pains. She was told that it was nothing and was sent home. She had actually had a stroke. She was told by the GP that she could not possibly have had a stroke at the age of 36, which was obviously incorrect. What would the Minister say to women in my constituency who have long felt ignored, disrespected and gaslit because they are women?
Minister reply
Belinda’s story is shocking, and I hope that she is doing better. This strategy is, as I said, a total game changer. In particular, the renewal of this strategy, based on the previous strategy, sends a signal to the system that we will look at the experience of women and take it into account. We will look at the budgets and the return of money to the service to improve things. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said yesterday, there is nothing quite like seeing chief executives and chief finance officers suddenly notice—perhaps they had not noticed it before; they are busy sometimes—women’s clear dissatisfaction with gynaecology. The strategy sends a positive signal to improve the service, and that puts power in the hands of women. The other real game changer is the online service. As I said, women, wherever they live, be it in Harlow, Bristol, rural Lincolnshire or coastal areas like Thanet—I have heard from Members from so many places this afternoon—will have access to online specialist treatment. There will be a further roll-out of diagnostic services, to get that diagnostic record back into neighbourhood healthcare, so that people can be treated closer to home. Building an NHS around women, women’s needs, women’s experiences—that is the game changer promised by this Labour Government.
Adam Thompson
Con
High Peak
Question
As a trained science teacher, I welcome the Minister’s news that through the strategy, the Government are launching a new programme to improve education for girls about their menstrual health, with additional funding from this year to support targeted work in schools and community settings. Does the Minister agree that this programme will support girls’ knowledge of menstrual health, and when to seek healthcare?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his expertise, and I agree that the programme will do that. When I was first told about menstrual cycles as a young girl, I was told to hide what happened, even from my father and my brother in the household, let alone my peers in school and so on. We have come a long way, and it is good to have so many good advocates to help us. Education in school is central to that.
Shadow Comment
Caroline Johnson
Shadow Comment
The shadow expresses disappointment over the delay in publishing single-sex guidance and questions why this aspect of women’s health policy is not announced alongside others. She also criticises the lack of response to the Hughes report on pelvic mesh after nearly two years in office. The strategy does not include a commitment to the lobular breast cancer moon shot project, raising concerns about timelines. While welcoming the reduction in gynaecology waiting lists, she notes that wait times for procedures and admissions have increased by 4.5%. She questions whether there is an intention to manipulate waiting time data through new referral rules. The shadow also criticises the prioritisation of organisations over direct patient feedback and the lack of mention regarding condom distribution despite a rise in sexually transmitted infections. Additionally, she highlights delays in establishing universal fracture liaison services and calls for clarity on DEXA scanner usage.
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