𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Women’s health is different from men’s health. Not only do biological differences mean pregnancy, lactation and menstruation are unique to women, but some medical conditions are more common in women, such as osteoporosis and urinary tract infections.

Sometimes men and women can display different symptoms of the same conditions and diseases – for example, heart attacks. So, when it comes to women’s health, Government needs a women’s health strategy. That’s exactly what the Conservatives did when we trailblazed the first-ever Women’s Health Strategy in 2022, in addition to appointing Dame Lesley Regan as the first Women’s Health Ambassador for England.

These foundations were designed to ensure that women’s health would receive the resources and attention it needs.

In schools, we introduced HPV vaccinations for teenagers – tackling the cause of 99.7% of cervical cancers. In late 2022, we commissioned Dr Henrietta Hughes to examine how a redress scheme could work for people harmed by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh.

Sir Jeremy Hunt, the then Health Secretary, pioneered much-needed improvements to maternity services a decade ago. Stillbirths fell by 20%, the neonatal death rate fell by 30%, and the maternal death rate fell by a third. That means there are hundreds more babies up and down the country who have taken their first steps, babbled their first words and smiled their first smiles.

This is real progress – progress that women and girls can see and feel. Sadly in all these areas so much more work needs to be done.

But, under Labour, women’s health is at standstill. Gynaecology waiting lists are rising, more women are awaiting admission for gynaecology than a year ago.

Following the sodium valproate and pelvic mesh scandal, Dr Henrietta Hughes published her review in February 2024. Ministers have repeatedly stated they will review this report at the earliest opportunity but 25 months after its publication – and counting – victims are still without a pathway to justice.

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, promised a rapid review into maternity services. It is not yet complete. As of January, his much-touted maternity taskforce had yet to meet – leaving only empty chairs around the table as families continue to be left in the dark. And his promise to train and recruit 1,000 additional midwives so far exists only on paper.

Despite offering warm words to affected families, the cold reality is that Streeting has been all style and no substance.

I’m afraid it doesn’t end there. The Conservatives were rolling out fracture liaison services to identify people over 50 who have suffered a fracture and may be at risk of another one. Half of women over 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis – a condition that weakens bone density – so services like these help prevent debilitating fractures and hospitalisations.

Ensure our latest politics headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings

Wes Streeting promised that universal fracture liaison services by 2030 would be one of his first acts upon entering office. Almost two years later, around half NHS Trusts in England still have no fracture liaison service at all – leaving vulnerable people at risk of a serious bone fracture. On top of all of that, we ended last year with 51,000 more women unemployed.

All this from a Labour Government that has struggled to decide what a woman is and has failed to protect single-sex spaces. What a diabolical record for a party that is meant to champion equality.

“Never again will women’s health be neglected”. That was the claim of Labour’s manifesto for the 2024 General Election. On International Women’s Day those words have never seemed so hollow.