Female care workers are being encouraged to share their experiences as well as their priorities to help shape a new Women’s Health Strategy
Women are being encouraged to share their experiences as well as their priorities for a Women’s Health Strategy, designed to increase the health and well-being outcomes of women in England. The government are urging female care workers, women from Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those living in the Midlands and East of England and women over 50, to respond to a call for evidence where they are encouraged to discuss their health issues and help shape a new Women’s Health Strategy making "health and care work better for us all.”
There has already been a phenomenal response to the call for evidence, with over 50,000 women, organisations, clinicians and carers responding so far. However, early analysis shows women from the Midlands and East of England, those from Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and over-50s are under-represented in sharing their experiences. This representation is necessary to ensure the strategy works for all women.
Capture the experiences and expertise of the Social Care Workforce
They also want to capture the experiences and expertise of the social care workforce, as women make up 80 per cent of the social care workforce and their views are extremely important. Not only do women in the Social Care workforce have their own personal experiences of the health and care system, but they care for many women who have multiple health conditions.
Minister for Care Helen Whately said, “Their perspective is second to none. I’d urge everyone working in social care to make their voice heard in our call for evidence, as it is vital we better understand more about women’s experiences in the workplace and in care, ultimately making health and care work better for us all.”
To enable as many women as possible to have their say and capture a variety of views on access to services, experiences and health outcomes, the call for evidence will be now extended by 2 weeks, to close on 13 June.
For generations, women have been living in a health and care system primarily designed by men, for men
Minister for Women’s Health Nadine Dorries said, “For generations, women have been living in a health and care system primarily designed by men, for men. The number of responses to date has been incredible and I thank everyone who has shared their experiences – these interim findings clearly highlight the need for decisive action.
“I urge every woman, if they have not yet, to come forward and respond to the call for evidence. It is only by hearing the experiences and priorities of women from all walks of life that we can truly develop a strategy that works for all women.
As well as health issues specific to women, the strategy will look at the different ways in which women experience health issues that affect both women and men. Women with health conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions and osteoarthritis are also being urged to share how their condition has affected them.
The call for evidence has been designed to be user friendly, quick to fill in and easily accessible on mobile phones. People who live with and care for women, organisations with experience of providing services for women and those with an expertise in women’s health are also encouraged to share their views.
You can share your views here: https://consultations.dhsc.gov.uk/talkwomenshealth