Care for older women must be central to new Women’s Health Strategy, experts say

Health experts are calling for a greater focus on care for older women to help shape the government’s first-ever Women’s Health Strategy for England.

More than 400 organisations and experts responded to the government’s call for evidence, including charities, academics, professional bodies, clinicians and royal colleges.

A focus on ‘healthy ageing’

In their submissions, they highlighted a need for greater focus on the health needs of older women, and suggested healthcare professionals receive menopause training to improve services.

In addition, the experts said the strategy should focus on healthy ageing, bringing attention to the idea that women may experience the same conditions as men but present in different ways.

Other topics included:

• menstrual health and gynaecological conditions, including the impact of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) on someone’s quality of life,
• fertility, pregnancy, pregnancy loss and maternal health, including women not feeling listened to during and after pregnancy and the provision of bereavement support services,
• gynaecological and other cancers, including barriers to accessing high-quality, up-to-date information on risk factors for female cancers,
• mental health, including its interaction with other health conditions across women’s life course; and
• violence against women and girls, including the complications associated with hymenoplasty and barriers to accessing healthcare support for those who’ve been subject to years of violence and abuse.

A healthcare system that prioritises care on the basis of clinical need, not gender

The insight is in addition to more than 100,000 responses from individuals, which together will inform the upcoming Women’s Health Strategy to create a healthcare system that prioritises care on the basis of clinical need, not gender.

Maria Caufield, Minister for Women’s Health, said: “For generations, women have lived in a healthcare system primarily designed by men, for men. We are committed to tackling the gender health gap, and the publication of our strategy later this year will mark a significant step forward.

“I want to thank the expert individuals and organisations who took the time to respond to our call for evidence. The insights you have provided have been stark and sobering, but will be pivotal to ensuring our strategy represents the first-hand experiences of the health care system.”