Jasmin Adebisi
Health Policy Manager, Policy Connect
The new Government’s recent policy announcements have highlighted a renewed commitment to improving women’s health services in the UK.
Key to this objective is the development of a comprehensive 10-Year Health Plan, which aims to create an NHS fit for the future by addressing existing challenges and anticipating future healthcare needs. Despite this early promise, significant issues persist, particularly in areas such as gynaecology waiting lists, maternity care and access to specialist services.
Women’s health policy concerns
The Women’s Health Strategy for England was introduced in July 2022 and set out a range of commitments over 10 years to improve women’s health, including increasing female participation in medical research, expanding women’s health hubs and ensuring better access to treatment. However, there are concerns that policy commitments are not being fully met.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has warned that removing the requirement for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to maintain women’s health hubs would have devastating consequences, affecting approximately 600,000 women currently on gynaecology waiting lists in England.1
Delays in treatment mean more women will experience disease progression, increasing the likelihood of emergency A&E visits and preventing many from working, caring for dependants or maintaining a good quality of life.
Delays in treatment mean more women
will experience disease progression.
Maternity care safety and disparities
Maternity services are also under significant strain. The Care Quality Commission has reported that 65% of maternity units are not meeting safety standards, contributing to the highest levels of negligence claims in the NHS due to avoidable injuries and even fatalities. The impact of these failures goes beyond financial payouts; women and families are suffering the lifelong consequences of poor maternity care.
Ethnic minority women face even greater risks within the maternity system. Black women in the UK are almost four times more likely to die during childbirth than white women, and Asian women face a twofold risk.2 These disparities persist despite repeated inquiries and reports highlighting systemic failings. The Government has pledged to include specific targets to close the Black and Asian maternal mortality gaps in the upcoming 10-Year Health Plan.
Call for health reforms
While the Government pledges to reduce gynaecology waiting lists and improve maternity care are welcome, there remains a significant need for more investment in research, workforce retention and tackling sexism and racism in healthcare. Greater clarity is also required as to how the 10-Year Health Plan will deliver real, measurable improvements in women’s health outcomes.
[1] Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. 2025. RCOG responds as long waiting times for gynaecology continue.
[2] Warrender, E. 2022. Open Access Government. Is childbirth more dangerous for Black women in the UK?
