England’s Women’s Health Strategy

England’s Women’s Health Strategy — A Long Overdue Shift

At last, there is a clear and public acknowledgement of what women have known for decades: the healthcare system has too often failed them. Health Secretary Wes Streeting openly recognised that women have been dismissed, unheard and in many cases, gaslit—where pain is minimised, symptoms are questioned and lived experience is too easily overlooked.

For many women, this is not new. It is the reality of navigating conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids and chronic hormonal symptoms—being passed from appointment to appointment, waiting years for diagnosis, or undergoing invasive procedures without adequate pain relief or explanation. These are not isolated cases; they are systemic patterns.

The renewed focus within England’s Women’s Health Strategy signals a meaningful shift. Commitments to streamline gynaecological care, reduce waiting times and challenge outdated, and at times misogynistic approaches to pain management are both necessary and welcome. Crucially, there is an emphasis on accountability—ensuring that services truly listen to women and respond appropriately.

This is, without question, a step in the right direction. It reflects growing recognition that women’s health is not a niche issue, but a fundamental pillar of public health and societal wellbeing.

However, the progress is not yet equal across the UK. The absence of similar commitments across Scotland, Wales and Ireland highlights an ongoing disparity. Women outside England continue to face even greater barriers and this must be addressed if true equity in healthcare is to be achieved.

What this moment represents is not the end of the conversation, but the beginning of a long-overdue correction. Women’s voices are finally being acknowledged at a policy level. Now, the focus must turn to consistent delivery, wider inclusion and sustained change across all regions.

For many of us working in women’s health, this announcement is both validating and motivating. It confirms what we have long advocated: when women are heard, believed and properly supported, outcomes improve—not just for individuals, but for families, workplaces and society as a whole.

Joy Wisdom

04.26