'Not at heart of NHS': Fears women's health hubs could be reduced in new targets

The NHS “doesn’t always have the needs of women at its heart”, the head of the service has admitted to MPs.

Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, insisted that women’s health is a “priority” following criticism over plans to scrap a number of targets – including a pledge over women’s health.

Reports suggest that one current NHS pledge, for a women’s health hub to be established in each region, will not be renewed in the 2025-26 guidance, due to be published on Thursday.

The hubs are intended to provide a wide range of services under one roof, including pelvic health physiotherapy, mammograms, cervical smears, contraception, menopause support, and diagnosis and treatment for common gynaecological issues.

But The i Paper revealed last month that despite the promise to have at least one hub in every region by the end of 2024 – just 11 out of 42 NHS integrated care boards (ICBs) had set up dedicated women’s health hubs.

The remaining ones either relied on existing primary and secondary networks for women, or had a “one-stop shop” providing other services outside of just women’s health. Some areas had no women’s health hub at all.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has implored health leaders to reconsider the decision to ditch the pledge, saying that the hubs have had a “transformational impact” and scaling them back could lead to delays in essential services.

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Source: iNews, 29 January 2025