Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed has welcomed bold plans from the Scottish Government to improve health and reduce inequalities for women.
Scotland is the first country in the UK to have a Women’s Health Plan, which outlines ambitious improvement and change in areas including menopause, heart health, menstrual health including endometriosis, and sexual health.
The Women’s Health Plan sets out 66 actions to ensure all women enjoy the best possible healthcare throughout their lives. It takes on board the real life experiences of women who have given their feedback on what is important to them.
Key actions include:
- appointing a national Women’s Health Champion and a Women’s Health Lead in every NHS board
- establishing a Women’s Health Research Fund to close gaps in scientific and medical knowledge
- providing a central platform for women’s health information on NHS Inform
- setting up a Women’s Health Community Pharmacy service
- commissioning endometriosis research to develop better treatment and management, and a cure
- developing a menopause and menstrual health workplace policy, and promoting it across the public, private and Third Sector
- improving information and public awareness of heart disease symptoms and risks for women
Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed said:
‘I warmly welcome the Scottish Government’s announcement of a Women’s Health Plan. It’s ambitious, and must remain so to drive forward the wider changes needed to ensure all our health and social care services meet the needs of all women, everywhere.
‘The whole of society benefits when women and girls are supported to lead healthy lives and fulfil their potential. I want to see Scotland as a world leader when it comes to women’s health, and look forward to the implementation of the Plan in the coming months and years.’
Notes:
See the Women’s Health Plan here.
The Women’s Health Plan is part of wider work being undertaken across the Scottish Government to improve women’s health, particularly in regards to mesh, maternal health, and screening services.
Women and girls’ mental health are a priority within the Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan. We are tackling violence against women and girls through the implementation of our Equally Safe Strategy. The Gender Pay Gap Action Plan is driving forward changes needed to reduce the gender pay gap for employees in Scotland.
