Plan unveiled to improve women’s health and stop ‘sexist’ NHS treatment

Doctors throughout England are to be given mandatory training to better treat female medical conditions under wider plans to improve women’s health.

 

Plans include an expansion to free access to NHS fertility treatment and there will be more funding for mobile breast cancer screening.

 

The government said the changes, which are part of its women’s health strategy, were based on responses from 100,000 people.

 

Women in England currently live on average four years longer than men, but more of their life is spent in poor health, which can limit their ability to work and participate in day-to-day activities.

 

Speaking of the plans, Maria Caulfield, Minister for Women’s Health, said “We heard from women that the system doesn’t listen to them when they come forward and ask for help with their healthcare needs.

 

“These are women often juggling jobs, young families and caring responsibilities, and unless we make it work for them, they will continue to face barriers seeking help.”

 

Miria Levin, health and care programme director at charity Engage Britain said she welcomed “any steps” to tackle health inequalities, but added that the government needed to ensure that women’s concerns would be properly listened to.

 

She said “We hear stories of women suffering with a vast range of problems, from endometriosis to menopause, and often feeling as though they’re dismissed or not taken seriously by some health professionals.

 

“The only way this strategy can succeed is for the government to take a fresh approach – by hearing what female patients have to say, then putting their experiences at the very heart of delivering it.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

Freephone : 0800 304 7382