Talk to us: Women's Health Phase 2 report
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In 2024 Healthwatch Lancashire conducted Phase 1 of their Women’s Health project, which sought to understand the experiences and needs of women in the healthcare system. The project was designed to inform the establishment of women’s health hubs in the region. The Phase 1 report highlighted significant variations in women’s individual experiences, but found that most women felt current health services were failing to meet their needs. Fewer than three in ten women rated healthcare services as ‘Very good’ or ‘Good’.
This study builds on the Phase 1 Women’s Health report, which identified menopause, gynaecology, and mental health as key health priorities for women. They spoke to 141 women.
Across these three areas this study has found that:
- Women often feel their health concerns are not taken seriously, particularly in relation to menopause.
- Many women report that healthcare professionals lack sufficient knowledge of women’s health issues, resulting in delayed diagnoses or inappropriate treatment options.
- Waiting times for some conditions, especially gynaecological issues, are extremely long, which can discourage women from seeking care.
- Some women, especially those from ethnic minority communities, prefer to see female healthcare professionals when discussing sensitive or potentially embarrassing concerns.
- Women would like greater awareness and support for women’s health issues in both the workplace and healthcare settings.
- Access to support services varies significantly by location, with some women describing the situation as a ‘postcode lottery.’
Although each of the three priority areas presents distinct challenges, we found significant overlap. For example, women frequently told us that poor management of menopausal or gynaecological conditions had a negative impact on their mental health. Women’s health hubs, if properly resourced, have clear potential to help address some of these challenges by integrating clinical services, information, and peer support networks in a welcoming and accessible setting.