Women's health in spotlight as ground-breaking report is published
Thousands of women in the region have had their say about NHS healthcare in a ground-breaking Big Conversation report to be published on International Women's Day, Saturday, 8 March 2025.
Launched last year by North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), the Big Conversation heard from almost 5,000 women as part of a programme aiming to make the region a driving force for better women's health.
The new report - published by the region's independent Healthwatch network - used a regionwide survey and a series of focus groups to better understand what matters to women about their health.
More than half the respondents pointed to mental health as a key concern, with healthy ageing, bones, joints and muscle health also highlighted. More than four women in ten said that menopause, cancer screening, menstrual and gynaecological health should be high priorities.
Claire Riley, the ICB's chief corporate services officer and lead for women's health, said: "We can look at the data and see what services women are using, but there's no substitute for asking women what they want. We want to make a sustained difference to women's health, and that means doing more listening.
"Our NHS provides many fantastic services, but we can do better in understanding women's needs. Many women have told us that they don't always feel they are listened to or their needs taken seriously. We want to change that, and the Big Conversation will help us understand women's concerns better."
The report proposes a new 'Women's Promise' to detail the level of care, dignity and support women can expect, as well as a directory of women's health services and more options to see a female health professional, get a second opinion or escalate concerns if needed.
New 'women's health MOTs' can provide regular check-ups, screening and a place to raise concerns, while more training in women's health issues can help GPs and healthcare professionals to raise standards of care.
Samantha Allen, the ICB's chief executive, said: "I welcome this report and I'm keen to learn from what women have told us. We have made progress in some areas with women's health hubs, working to improve menopause care and support, and training more primary care staff in contraceptive fitting.
"But we know there is a lot more to do such as better support for conditions like poly-cystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis, more options for postnatal contraception and helping more women in deprived areas get hormone replacement therapy when they need it. If we can make things better for girls and women, everyone benefits."
Lindsay Graham of North East and North Cumbria Healthwatch Network added: "We're grateful to every woman who contributed to this project, enabling us to get a brilliant understanding of what is important to women and challenges they face. Listening to these experiences has shown us how much needs to change. This report will help ensure that women’s voices lead to real improvements in healthcare and we’d like to thank the ICB for welcoming our recommendations."
The region's NHS kicked off its women's health programme last year by opening women's health hubs in Sunderland, Gateshead and North Cumbria, while the ICB also signed up to the Menopause Workplace Pledge to better support the many NHS staff who are affected by menopause symptoms. In addition, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is investing in a fourth mobile breast screening trailer, to improve access to screening in rural areas.