In England, there is to be a Women's Health Ambassador appointed by the Government (Department of Health and Social Care, 2021). The aim of this appointment, along with a women's health strategy, is to help ‘reset the dial’ on years of gender health inequality experienced by 51% of our population, who can face difficulties in accessing the care or information they need.
A call for evidence was made in March 2021. Women and girls in England were asked to share their experiences of the health system, as part of a Government strategy to address inequalities. Over 110 000 responses were made to the public survey; 97 307 of these responses were from individuals who wanted to share their own experiences, or those of a family member, friend or partner, or their thoughts as a health or care professional. There were also over 400 written responses. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) made its reply, noting that women's healthcare does not always receive the attention it deserves, even though there are various reports and studies available, as well as the impact it has not only on women but on all of society (RCN, 2021).
If the strategy is to be implemented in the spring of 2022, with any chance of making a difference, active engagement with girls, women, boys, men, community support groups and voluntary organisations, as well as with those health and care professionals who are involved in delivering care plans, is key. Included in the implementation of the strategy has to be those who commission services, as well as service providers. These partners will need to be appropriately resourced and resources must be ongoing so as to provide a meaningful and appropriate service to meet the needs of women and girls. Although the strategy is England specific, it is anticipated that the other devolved nations will also take the same stance in developing similar strategies.
In the UK, women have a longer life expectancy than men; however, they spend less of their life in good health. Women's experiences of healthcare across the country can vary, and the strategy may help to address unwarranted variation, so women are able to access the treatment and the services they need.
Gender biases in clinical trials are contributing factors to the inequality that is seen in women's health. Many female-specific conditions, such as endometriosis or complications following a pelvic mesh repair can be overlooked or misunderstood when women seek help from health professionals. Key findings arising from the consultation exercise revealed that significant numbers of women feel that they are not listened to by health professionals. Women also requested that there be compulsory training for GPs on women's health issues and that training should include input on menopause. The stigma that can be associated with some women's health topics has the real potential to prevent women from seeking help and can play a role in reinforcing beliefs that debilitating symptoms that women may experience are ‘normal’.
The role of the Women's Health Ambassador will be manifold. For far too long women's health care has been overshadowed and change now needs to happen, addressing the ongoing and unacceptable lack of effective women-centred care. There will have to be a focus on raising the profile of women's health, encouraging an understanding about topics that are sometimes seen as taboo.
A clear cut, well-funded implementation plan, which has to be integrated, has person-centred care as a given and focuses on prevention as well as treatment, is crucial if women are to experience a difference to their health and wellbeing and to close the gender health gap. Addressing the issues raised will require long-term system-wide changes in realising our nation's ambition of a healthcare system that supports the needs of women throughout their lives. Nurses, as women's advocates, are at the forefront of assessing, implementing and evaluating changes and as such, they will need support in implementing policy that emanates from the strategy.