Why the government has abandoned pledges on women's health spending
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has cut spending into women's health and halved the number of NHS targets.
In particular, he has dropped targets for women's health hubs. These new community services had been designed in every region of England to help people struggling with menopause and reproductive health issues.
Labour's manifesto promised that, 'Never again will women’s health be neglected. Labour will prioritise women’s health as we reform the NHS.' Streeting says the new plan is to end a 'culture of overspending', telling health staff to focus their budgets on cutting A&E waiting times, reducing waiting lists and improving access to GPs.
The Times also reported that ministers introduced the rollback to avoid NHS energy being 'diverted to keep special interests happy'. A coalition of six charities has now said that women are 'not a special interest group' and are being de-prioritised.
Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), said: 'In its manifesto the new government committed to prioritising women’s health, so to see no mention of women in the new NHS operational guidance published today is extremely disappointing.
'We urge the government to take the health of 51% of the population into account when considering the upcoming spending review, the NHS ten-year plan and the future of the women’s health strategy.'
The RCOG's latest report, published in November 2024, found that there are nearly 800,000 women and people currently on waitlists for gynaecological conditions. It has faced the largest increase in waiting lists of any service since Covid. They also warn that a lack of treatment means there's been a 33% rise in women requiring emergency medical care to treat severse symptms.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society also says that it is concerned at the de-prioritisation of women's health. 'Half of women aged over 50 will suffer fractures due to osteoporosis, leading to life-changing disability,' it said in a statement.
'Wes Streeting’s promise to make a national rollout of fracture liaison services one of his first acts in post gave hundreds of thousands of women hope. We ask ministers to set out how they intend to make sure pre-election commitments on women’s health are upheld.'
The new plans mean hospitals will have targets of treating 78% of A&E patients within four hours, up from the current 74%. A&E waits in the UK have reached record highs, with experts raising concerns around 'corridor care' and a new report suggesting they could be contributing to 1,100 deaths a week.
Cancer targets are also increased, with aims of 75% of patients starting treatment within two months of referral, up from 70% that managed this year.
However, people like Mims Davies, the shadow women’s minister, are worrying that women have been 'forgotten' in the new plans, making them 'unable to work, care or live a fulfilled life'.
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