News
On October 8th October at 2pm the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women’s Health held its Inaugural General Meeting, to formally constitute the group. There was a formal election of officers and the Group's income and expenditure statement for publication was agreed. Please see below for the full minutes.
The following officers were elected:
Gill Furniss MP: Chair
Kirith Entwistle MP: Officer
Jo Platt MP: Officer
Caroline Dineage MP: Officer
On Wednesday 7th February, the All-Party Parliamentary Group held its second roundtable in its series dedicated to championing informed choice, ensuring that women have the agency and knowledge to shape their own lives.
Spotlighting pregnancy the event aimed to gather information to reflect on what has changed since the APPG’s report in 20217 and what can be done to improve informed decision making for women.
We were delighted to hear from the following speakers: Jane Plumb, Women’s Voices Lead and Women’s Network Chair at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; Dr Janet Nooney, Expert Scientific Assessor, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; and Ruth Unstead Joss who will spoke on her lived experience of dealing with diabetes during pregnancy.
Attendees included representatives from following organisations:
Royal College of Nursing
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health
Royal College of Midwives
British Pregnancy Advisory Service
Wellbeing of Women
Royal College of General Practitioners
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Department of Health and Social Care
Parliamentarians
We will be collating the evidence from the session to input into our Call to Action on informed choice, as part of our ongoing series.
On Wednesday 15th November the All-Party Parliamentary Group marked the commencement of its series dedicated to championing informed choice, ensuring that women have the agency and knowledge to shape their own lives.
Spotlighting menstrual wellbeing the event aimed to gather information to reflect on what has changed since the APPG’s report in 20217 and what can be done to improve informed decision making for women.
Key note remarks were made by Gill Furniss MP Co-Chair of the APPG, Jane Plumb, Women’s Voices Lead, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and Dr Véronique Griffith MD/PhD, lecturer, researcher, author and patient with endometriosis.
Attendees will have the opportunity to share insights and network with a range of stakeholders to contribute to the APPG’s Call to Action, which will aim to shape the Government’s understanding of women’s menstrual health conditions.
On Tuesday 25th April at 2pm the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women's Health held its Annual General Meeting. There was a formal election of officers and the Group's income and expenditure statement for publication was agreed.
On Tuesday 25th April the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women’s Health hosted the first roundtable in its inequalities series closing the gap. The roundtable spotlighted cardiovascular disease and inequalities in treatment access for women with aortic stenosis.
Following the publication of the Women’s Health Strategy in July 2022, the APPG on Women’s Health hosted a hybrid meeting with the Chairs of APPGs with an interest in women’s health. The event provided an opportunity for parliamentarians and stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the recommendations in the Strategy.
On Wednesday 18th May 09:30 the Women’s Health APPG held its Annual General Meeting. Liz Trust MP chaired the meeting and Cherilyn Mackrory MP and Gill Furniss MP were elected as Co-chairs of the Group. The following individuals were elected or re-elected as Officers for the group:
Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie
Baroness Masham of Ilton
Kate Osborne MP
Jess Phillips MP
Nickie Aiken MP
Rosie Duffield MP
Sharon Hodgson MP
In the AGM, the Group’s statement and income expenditure forms were agreed by those present.
On Tuesday 25th May from 10:30-11:00am, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women's Health will hold its virtual Annual General Meeting. There will be the formal election of officers and the Group's income and expenditure statement will be agreed for publication.
On Wednesday, 29th January 2020 from 15:00-16:00pm, in Room U (Portcullis House), the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women's Health held its Annual General Meeting. There was a formal election of officers and the Group's income and expenditure statement for publication was agreed.
The WHAPPG are proud to have hosted its second Women’s Health Conference in Parliament to mark the week of International Women’s Day.
The Conference took place on the 4th March 2019 to raise the profile of women’s health and surrounding issues within parliament and brought together MPs, patient groups, industry, clinical experts and many others for three panel discussions on prominent topics surrounding women’s health:
Women’s Health Inequalities – a discussion on the inequalities in women’s healthcare, the way women are treated by healthcare professionals.
Transforming Menstrual Health – a discussion on menstrual health and heavy menstrual bleeding in particular, the barriers in place for access to treatment and tackling pathway challenges
Awareness, Education and Informed Choice – a discussion on the way to spread awareness of conditions amongst women, encouraging women to feel empowered to speak up about health issues with their healthcare professionals, the need to educate healthcare professionals and ensure women have an informed choice about their own healthcare at all points,.
Together, panelists and attendees discussed health issues pertinent to women and how to tackle these. The conference also heard from Jackie Doyle-Price, Minister for Women's Health; and Jon Ashworth, Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
The conference provided a forum to discuss key issues around women’s health, as well as an opportunity for guests to network. In addition, there was a showcase of patient groups who displayed the work being undertaken to support women to make informed choices about their healthcare.
You can learn more about the conference by checking the tweets that used the hashtags #TalkingWH and #WHConf2019.
On the 16th July 2018, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women's Health held it's Annual General Meeting, in which the following Members of Parliament were elected as officers of the group:
The WHAPPG is delighted to continue working to raise issues of women's health.
TFor the first time ever, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women’s Health hosted a conference in the month of International Women’s Day on Thursday 22nd March 2018, to raise the profile of women’s health and champion surrounding issues within parliament and beyond.
The group was delighted by the turnout, with over 130 patients, patient groups, clinicians, policy makers, parliamentarians and interested stakeholders attending. Those present heard passionate speakers on the three panels:
Is this normal?
Rationing of women’s health services?
How are women treated in the NHS?
With discussion ranging from breaking the period “taboo”, encouraging women to feel empowered to speak up about health issues, the effects of rationing on women’s health specifically and what can be done to address this. Other discussions included how women are generally treated in the NHS, and the differing outcomes between men and women for certain conditions such as myocardial infarction and stroke.
The WHAPPG were delighted that these panels were joined by Dr Christian, Dr Ellie and Katie Piper who brought a wealth of experience the room, along with those patient and clinical speakers discussing their own experience.
We were pleased to be joined by Jackie Doyle-Price, the Minister with responsibility for Women’s Health and Matt Tagney from NHS England who each highlighted that women’s health is taking a prominent place on the agenda for the NHS and Government.
The productive discussion and contributions from the floor were all recognised by the group and the WHAPPG are keen to drive forward women’s health, ensure it remains on the agenda of decisions makers in the government and the NHS, and take forward and champion the specific issues raised at the conference. The group will be taking forward the issues discussed over the next year, and will look to repeat the conference to make sure more people can get involved and we can make a difference to more women’s lives.
To provide feedback on the conference, or to make suggestions for the future work of the group, please contact appgwh@mailpbconsulting.com.
The conference received good coverage in the media, including:
The Sun - "BREAST FRIENDS Asda adds health warning to tampon packets urging all women to check for breast cancer – so here are the signs you need to know"
Independent - "Asda adds breast cancer advice to all own-brand sanitary products"
MailOnline - "Smiling Katie Piper shows off her svelte frame as she arrives at Westminster for the Women's Health Conference"
Imagine having to insert a coin to dispense soap and toilet paper every time you used a public toilet. Sounds bizarre, right? For most of us, it is normal to access toiletpaper, soap and menstrual bins for free in public toilets. So, why is it different for menstrual products? Why do all women in the UK use toilet paper in between periods when they don’t have a pad with them? Surely menstrual products should be as available as toilet paper?
If all companies with budgets for toilet paper also bought pads, they could negotiate the pricing of the pads directly with the manufacturers and find a reduction in toilet paper. Having interacted with manufacturers of low cost pads, we know the pricing of the product can be as low as one pence. It will also help girls to stay in school eliminate poverty with periods and the responsibility of the dignity of women will be shared by all organisations who fundamentally must keep our girls in school. We can also put vending machines with pads costing no more than 10 pence each to help with sustainability of the campaign.
Join hands with Binti International in raising awareness on this issue. Every girl deserves dignity, period.
Research commissioned by the Betty for Schools programme in 2017 found that 44% of girls "do not know what is happening to them the first time they have their period" and 60% of women "felt scared or embarrassed, and half did not feel confident enough to tell anyone else they had started their period." These statistics are endemic of a society where menstruation awareness is limited and menstrual health education is an afterthought.
There is a huge under recognition of the problems that women with menstrual dysfunction face, and for many women they do not even realise their periods are not "normal." This is a direct result of the lack of education for young women about what is normal, and how to get advice and support to help women in education and work.
The under recognition of the social, psychological and physical impact of heavy, irregular, or painful periods means that many women are compromised as they are not empowered to request support to help them attend school, college or work for several days and months a year.
In response to the increasing body of evidence around the need for better awareness of women's health conditions the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) came together with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Endometriosis UK and the RCGP Patient and Carer's Participation Group to create a Clinical Spotlight Programme on Women's Health. This programme, which I am delighted to lead, puts the need for education at the very heart of its approach to women's health. This coalition aims to develop resources to support GP education on the issue of menstrual dysfunction, with the ambition of delivering earlier diagnosis and improved care.
The creation of this Clinical Spotlight Programme came, in part, as a result of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women's Health's enquiry into informed choice for women with fibroids and endometriosis. I am delighted to support the work of the WHAPPG and hope that, together, we can continue to raise the profile of these important, under recognised and under reported health concerns.
Domestic violence is complex and more common than many people think. It impacts on everyone in the family and wider social environment, personally and or professionally. Despite this, knowledge and understanding of the indicators for abusive behaviour in the home and of the actions required to be taken to safeguard and support victims/survivors varies across the UK. Nurses and midwives, are one of the key professional groups engaging with those most likely to be affected, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is committed to keeping this complex issue on the policy agenda, especially working to inform and support nurses and midwives to better understand their role and their responsibilities around this complex subject. We have developed a pocket guide on domestic abuse, to support nursing staff to both identify when these instances may be happening, and help them offer advice and help to victims.
The RCN support the newly announced legislation to make it easier for survivors of domestic violence to register to vote anonymously. We are working to create guidance for nurses and midwives to carry out this role as qualifying officer. We will be working with the UK Government to ensure that nursing staff are supported to implement this new legislation.
Modern slavery and sexual exploitation are equally complex safeguarding issues, which affect women’s and girls’ health. There is a need for nurses and healthcare professionals to feel confident to identify, discuss and support clients when this may be happening. Clients deserve reassurance, privacy and dignity to know that the issues raised will be taken forward. We must work to build a robust reporting mechanism immediately when these issues are raised, and access to refuge must be available to all.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is child abuse and the practice is illegal in the UK, and another form of violence that needs to be tackled nationally and internationally. The hidden nature of the crime raises serious issues and concerns in relation to the safeguarding of girls and young women. The RCN have also produced a Pocket Guide to raise awareness among nurses, midwives and related health care personnel about FGM, and to provide insight and understanding of the socio-cultural, legal and health issues surrounding the practice.
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is a professional organisation and trade union representing midwives and staff working across a range of maternity services.
Women’s health issues are at the heart of our work; promoting, supporting and influencing, collaborating and campaigning to continually raise standards of care and address health inequalities that exist in society.
We are recognised for our pioneering work in perinatal mental health, campaigning to eradicate female genital mutilation and in safeguarding women and their families.
RCM supports its members with continued learning and development resources, based around the women’s health agenda.
The RCM views pregnancy as a window of opportunity for public health promotion and improving outcomes across the population. Midwives are best placed to discuss issues such as smoking cessation and obesity as they are often the first point of contact women will have with our national health service having become pregnant and they are trusted to advise and support women.
On 17th October 2017, the WHAPPG hosted a parliamentary roundtable to discuss the Group's Informed Choice Report and decide how best to take its recommendations forward.
The roundtable provided a useful forum which brought together key stakeholders who are best placed to influence and take forward the report's recommendations.
Of the event, Paula Sherriff MP, Chair of the WHAPPG said "I hope that through working together we will be able to ensure the issues raised within the report are addressed and women’s lives are improved."
Attendees included Dr Matthew Jolly - Clinical Director for Maternity Review and Women's Health at NHS England, Dr Anne Mackie - Director of Screening at Public Health England, Wendy Norton - Royal College of Nursing, Judy Shakespeare - Royal College of General Practitioners and Lesley Regan - Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Patient representatives also attended and gave their input on how best to improve care for patients with fibroids and endometriosis.
To request minutes from this meeting, please email APPGWH@mailpbconsulting.com
Following the snap General Election which took place on June 8th 2017, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women's Health is delighted to announce it has successfully held it's Annual General Meeting in which the following Members of Parliament were elected as officers of the group:
The Group looks forward to working to raise issues of women's health over the course of the next parliament.
Please note that from 3rd May until 8th June 2017 the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women's Health will not be active, due to the dissolution of Government for the General Election.
In adherence with the rules on All-Party Parliamentary Groups, while the House is dissolved there are no Members of Parliament and therefore this Group ceases to be an All-Party Parliamentary Group for this period.
Therefore, this website, and other APPG communication channels, will not be updated until after the Election on 8th June.
The first report from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Women’s Health (WHAPPG) in the UK highlights insufficient care and concern for women with endometriosis and fibroids. If you would like to download a copy of the report you can do so here.
The WHAPPG has found that women are not treated with dignity, are not provided with sufficient information about their treatment options, and are not told about treatment side-effects appropriately when counselled about their gynaecological health.
In a survey of over 2600 women (with endometriosis and fibroids):
The report, which will be presented this afternoon (Monday 27th March 2017) by the Group in Parliament, reveals how these women were treated across the pathway, some of the barriers that they faced in getting a diagnosis and treatment, and the complete lack of control and choice they were offered over their own care.
Following an oral evidence session and a call for evidence, the WHAPPG can announce it will be launching it's report into informed choice on Monday 27th March 2017 in Parliament.
The report follows an inquiry into whether women are given an informed choice about the treatment options available for particular conditions, in particular endometriosis and fibroids.
The group has produced a report which assesses whether women are given an informed choice about treatment options and outlines what further improvements need to be made.
If you would be interested in attending the launch of this report, or would like any further information about the inquiry or the group’s work more generally, please contact appgwh@mailpbconsulting.com.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women's Health held an oral evidence session on Wednesday 18th January in the Macmillan Room, Portcullis House. The purpose of the session was to gather evidence for an inquiry the group has launched into whether women are given an informed choice about the treatment options available for endometriosis and fibroids.
The group heard from experts about current practice as well as potential barriers and issues, with the aim of understanding what key recommendations the group can take forwards.
Speakers included:
There were three Q&A sessions, in which attendees discussed what the current situation is, what the key barriers are, what a best practice pathway may look like, and possible recommendations for the report.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women’s Health has launched an inquiry into whether women are given an informed choice about the treatment options available for particular conditions. The group aims to empower women to ensure that they can make an informed choice about the best treatment for them and that they are treated with dignity and respect.
Endometriosis and fibroids are conditions the group would like to shine a particular spotlight on and so would like to hear from patients about their own experience of living with each condition and accessing treatment.
If you have been suffering with endometriosis we would welcome your participation in the group’s endometriosis survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/informed-choice-endometriosis
If you have been suffering with fibroids we would welcome your participation in the group’s fibroids survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/fibroids-informed-choice
The group aims to use the findings from this inquiry to produce a report which will assess if women are given an informed choice about treatment options and outline what further improvements might need to be made.
All responses will remain anonymous. If you would like to receive more information on the inquiry or the group’s work more generally please contact appgwh@pbpoliticalconsulting.com.
Submissions for this call for evidence were closed on Monday 27th February 2017.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Women’s Health was officially launched on 8th June 2016 in Portcullis House, Westminster.
Approximately 80 people attended the launch event, which brought together numerous parliamentarians, clinicians and representatives from the Department of Health, Royal Colleges, patient groups, as well as other stakeholders all interested in the establishment of a dedicated forum at Westminster to discuss women’s health.
Paula Sherriff MP, Chair of the newly established group, opened proceedings highlighting that whilst there were a range of APPGs focusing on different issues in health, this group would help provide a specific, and much needed, focus on women’s experience of healthcare and health conditions that only or often disproportionally affect women.
The group were delighted to be joined by several high profile female public figures on the day who each spoke briefly to attendees about their interest in the establishment of the group and why they support the group’s aim to empower women to ensure that they can make an informed choice about the best treatment for them and that they are treated with dignity and respect.
Katie Piper, a former model turned campaigner who was subject to an acid attack, spoke about her experience of the NHS. She said that retaining dignity in hospital was difficult for even the most powerful of women and spoke of the importance of protecting against dehumanisation during treatment. Ms Piper concluded that every woman would need the NHS at some point, so it was important they knew they would be respected and made aware of the options available to them.
Writer and equality campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez highlighted that although people expect science to be objective, it is often affected by similar gender bias often commonplace in politics and other settings. She spoke of women’s health issues being often perceived as niche, therefore attracting less funding and research. She also raised the issue of women suffering misdiagnosis due to a lack of awareness of how symptoms for common conditions may differ from symptoms experienced by men.
Journalist and TV personality Angela Rippon also spoke and stressed the need for greater awareness. She called for better education on women’s health in schools to increase awareness, which would also help to decrease the embarrassment that many women felt in talking about or seeking help for any health problems. She said the APPG needed to encourage the medical profession to listen to women and make them feel empowered.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Gina Radford was the final speaker and stressed that conversations need to be framed around women’s health needs rather than ‘women’s problems’. Dr Radford reiterated the need for greater openness and awareness in order to help women have more control over their health. Dr Radford concluded that women, the 51 per cent of the population, needed 51 per cent of the collective voice.
Informal networking followed the speaker segment and attendees were encouraged to give the group suggestions on issues they felt the group should focus on by writing their thoughts down on post-it notes and adding them to boards set up in the room.
The group was delighted to see so many people interested in women’s health issues in attendance and supportive of the group and its aims. The Group looks forward to campaigning on women’s health issues moving forwards and highlighting that women’s health needs must be prioritised across the country going forwards.
View photos from the event in our Gallery: http://www.appgwomenshealth.org/new-gallery/
