Last month, Chamber and 50:50 Parliament hosted a ‘Welcome to Parliament’ event for newly elected MPs, focusing on women’s health. Several MPs, health professionals, and campaigners highlighted the current issues surrounding women’s health and the urgent need to address them.
This event was kindly sponsored by Bayer, a leader in both pharmaceuticals and agricultural solutions, which has a long-standing commitment to improving women’s health through innovation and advocacy.
One of the keynote speeches was delivered by Vikki Slade MP, Vice Chair of the Liberal Democrat Campaign for Gender Balance. Slade shared her perspectives on various aspects of women’s health, drawing from both her professional experience and personal journey as a mother. She covered themes such as the gender data gap in healthcare, the critical role of health visitors, and the mental health challenges faced by women, particularly postnatal depression.
Tackling the Gender Data Gap in Healthcare
In her address, Slade underscored the need to tackle the gender data gap in healthcare. She emphasized that the Liberal Democrats are committed to addressing this issue by ensuring that healthcare professionals receive mandatory, specific training on women’s health. Slade noted the importance of using NHS data intelligently for diagnosis and treatment, ensuring that doctors are equipped with the knowledge to provide the best care for women.
She further highlighted that this issue extends beyond healthcare providers. For instance, teachers often lack training on how conditions like autism manifest differently in girls compared to boys, reflecting a broader need for gender-specific awareness in various sectors. Slade’s advocacy for closing the gender data gap resonated with the event’s broader focus on ensuring that women’s health issues are not sidelined or treated with a one-size-fits-all approach.
The Crucial Role of Health Visitors
Another significant theme in Slade’s speech was the vital role of health visitors in supporting new mothers. Drawing on her personal experience, Slade shared her struggles with postnatal depression and the fear many mothers face when seeking help, especially those from marginalised communities who may fear having their children taken away. She pointed out that, while she was fortunate to receive support, many mothers today are not as lucky due to the severe reduction in health visitor services.
Slade highlighted that in her part of Dorset, about 60% of mothers do not receive visits from health visitors, as they are not classified as high risk. She stressed that the preventive work done by health visitors is indispensable, not only for high-risk families but for all new parents. Slade called on the government to ensure that health visitors are not overlooked, as their support can make the difference between a family thriving or struggling in silence.
Addressing Mental Health at Key Life Stages
Slade also focused on the mental health challenges women face at various life stages, particularly during and after pregnancy. She advocated for increased investment in mental health checks at critical points in a woman’s life, highlighting that many women may not even be aware that they are struggling with mental health issues until it’s too late.
Reflecting on her own experience with menopause, Slade pointed out the importance of having access to information and resources that allow women to recognise and address health issues early. She argued that similar resources should be available to new mothers to help them navigate the complex physical and emotional changes that come with childbirth.
Final Thought
Vikki Slade’s keynote speech at the ‘Welcome to Parliament’ event was a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges in women’s healthcare. She called for systemic changes to ensure that women receive the care and support they need throughout their lives, from comprehensive data collection and analysis to robust support systems like health visitors and mental health services.
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 of Vikki Slade’s keynote speech at the ‘Welcome to Parliament – Prioritising Women’s Health’ event, please click below and subscribe to Chamber UK’s YouTube channel.