Women’s health inequality has gone on too long – this government is putting it right
Women represent more than half of the population, and between reproductive health, pregnancy and birth, and longer life expectancy, they are more likely to need medical care across their lifetime. But there’s a huge gender bias in medicine means women’s symptoms often go under-recognised or misdiagnosed. Too many women have been ignored, dismissed or told to just get on with it. That ends now.
The Labour Government has taken a big step towards fixing decades of inequality in women’s healthcare. We’re making menopause part of routine NHS health checks and renewing the Women’s Health Strategy so women across the country finally get the care and respect they deserve.
If you’re between 40 and 74, your free NHS health check will soon include questions about menopause. That means nearly five million women will have access to better information, earlier support and proper treatment. It’s about time. Three-quarters of women experience symptoms that can last for years, yet too many never get the help they need. By putting menopause front and centre, we’re and making sure women’s health is taken seriously.
Separately, as part of a wider package of investment to rebuild community pharmacies, being announced today – the morning-after pill will soon be available for free from pharmacies across England. Right now, whether you can get it for free is a postcode lottery and requires visiting a GP or a sexual health clinic. Now women will be access this basic right at their local pharmacy.
These changes are part of our wider mission to rebuild the NHS, bring more care into the community and make it work for everyone. We’ve already started cutting gynaecology waiting lists, introduced Jess’s Rule so GPs think again if they can’t find a diagnosis and committed to eliminating cervical cancer by 2040. It’s all part of a bigger plan to build an NHS fit for the future – one that listens, acts and delivers for everyone.
After years of being told to wait, women are finally being put at the heart of our health service.
