Last month, Chamber and 50:50 Parliament hosted a significant event at Westminster, welcoming newly elected MPs with a focus on women’s health. This gathering brought together MPs, health professionals, and campaigners to shine a light on the pressing issues in women’s health and to discuss the urgent need for actionable solutions.
The event was generously sponsored by Bayer, a global leader in pharmaceuticals and agricultural solutions, known for its long-standing commitment to improving women’s health through innovation and advocacy.
This article details a keynote speech delivered by Dr Janet Barter, President of The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH). Dr Barter shared her insights on the dire state of women’s health services in the UK and proposed tangible solutions to address these challenges. Her speech was a call to action, urging collaboration and commitment across sectors to bridge the gaps in women’s health services.
Addressing Health Inequalities in Women’s Health
Dr Barter began by acknowledging the widespread agreement on the issues at hand, remarking, “If we’re all saying the same things, we’ve got a better chance of actually achieving something.” She highlighted the shocking health inequalities faced by women, particularly those from deprived backgrounds and ethnic minorities. The statistics she shared were alarming: 45% of pregnancies in Britain are unplanned or ambivalent, and women from the most deprived backgrounds are nearly three times more likely to need an abortion than their wealthier counterparts.
One of the most disturbing disparities she discussed was the maternal mortality rate among black women, which is almost four times higher than that of white women. Dr Barter emphasised that these disparities are preventable, stating, “We know that this is preventable and avoidable. With the right policies and practices in place, we can do something about it.”
The Importance of Access to Contraception and Education
Dr Barter underscored the critical need for accessible contraception and comprehensive sex education. She lamented the lack of discussion around fertility and preconception care, pointing out that this gap leaves many women uninformed about their reproductive health. “If it’s too difficult, too complicated, we put ourselves at the bottom of the list and we just don’t chase it,” she observed, capturing the systemic issue of women prioritising others over their own health.
She also discussed the significant unmet need for contraception, linking it to broader issues of fertility, pregnancy, and overall life ambitions. Dr Barter was clear about the broader impact of these gaps, noting, “Not getting the health care profoundly affects women’s lives, not just in terms of fertility and pregnancy and family, but in every ambition, in their work, in their education, in every aspect of our lives.”
The FSRH Hatfield Vision: A Blueprint for Change
In response to these challenges, Dr Barter introduced the FSRH Hatfield Vision, a comprehensive policy document named in tribute to the late Jane Hatfield, the first CEO of FSRH. The Vision outlines practical policies and achievable goals aimed at improving women’s sexual and reproductive health services across the UK. Dr Barter was clear that this initiative is not just about policy-making; it’s about implementation and action.
“We have the FSRH Hatfield Vision taskforce… and what we do in those groups is we talk together and we find solutions,” she explained. The taskforce, supported by over 65 organisations including NHS England, the Royal College of Midwives, and the Royal College of Nursing, is dedicated to breaking down the barriers to better reproductive health. Dr Barter called on organisations not yet involved to join the effort, stressing the importance of a united front in making substantial changes.
Collaborative Efforts and Political Support
Dr Barter’s speech also highlighted the critical role of political support in driving the FSRH’s agenda forward. She urged MPs present to collaborate with the FSRH, offering resources such as briefings on specific issues and constituency-specific statistics to aid in their parliamentary work. She was optimistic about the strong commitments to women’s health seen in recent party manifestos, expressing hope that this political will, combined with the record number of women MPs, would translate into real action.
Final Thought
Dr Barter concluded her keynote with a powerful message of hope and determination. She stressed that the broad consensus on the importance of women’s health must be converted into tangible outcomes. “This strength of support has got to turn into action. It’s got to make a difference and that’s what we’re here for,” she declared, encapsulating the urgency and potential of the moment.
Her speech was not only a critique of the current state of women’s health but also a plea for all stakeholders to work together in creating a future where every woman has access to the health care she needs. With initiatives like the FSRH Hatfield Vision leading the way, the event marked a significant step towards addressing the inequalities that have long plagued women’s health in the UK.
Bayer has provided sponsorship funding, which supported logistics and materials for this event. Chamber maintained complete editorial control for the event and outputs.
To watch the full video, click the link below, and don’t forget to subscribe to Chamber UK’s YouTube channel. For access to the other speeches made at the ‘Prioritising Women’s Health’ event, please click here.