Select Committee · Women and Equalities Committee

Women's reproductive health conditions

Status: Closed Opened: 25 Jul 2023 Closed: 2 May 2025 21 recommendations 30 conclusions 1 report

A short inquiry looking at women’s reproductive health and the challenges that women face when they are being diagnosed and treated for these conditions. The inquiry considers any disparities that exist in the diagnosis and treatment, and the impact of women’s experiences on their health and lives. Read the terms of reference to find out …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
1st Report - Women's reproductive health conditions HC 337 11 Dec 2024 51 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

6 items
26 Conclusion 1st Report - Women's reproductive healt… Acknowledged

Collect comprehensive data on reproductive health delays, referrals, and treatment outcomes to address inequalities

Data and analysis must improve. The NHS should collect data on where there are delays in the system, where women are being referred from, which could highlight areas where community provision is lacking, which groups of women are most affected by delays, to allow better understanding of health inequalities, how …

Government response. The government commits to reviewing and updating existing e-learning training packages for primary care practitioners to promote opportunistic reproductive healthcare during routine contacts like the 6-8 week maternal postnatal check. It will also consider what else can be done to …
Government Equalities Office
31 Conclusion 1st Report - Women's reproductive healt… Acknowledged

Incorporate support for women and children conceived through rape into the Women's Health Strategy.

The Government’s plans for the Women’s Health Strategy for England should include support and guidance for women who have conceived as a result of rape, and for children born as a result of rape. This should include tailored information on the NHS website, including on rape-induced gynaecological issues. (Paragraph 113) …

Government response. The government stated it is working to take forward the Women's Health Strategy for England and will 'take into account' the committee’s recommendations on specific areas of focus, including this one, as part of that ongoing work.
Government Equalities Office
33 Conclusion 1st Report - Women's reproductive healt… Acknowledged

Evaluate merits of nationally rolling out the anti-mullarian hormone blood test for PCOS diagnosis.

The approval of the anti-mullarian hormone blood test as another tool to assist in the diagnosis of polycycstic ovary syndrome is a welcome development. NHS England should evaluate the merits of rolling it out nationally as a matter of priority.

Government response. The government stated it is working to take forward the Women’s Health Strategy for England and will consider the committee's recommendations on topics and key indicators, including the evaluation of the anti-mullarian hormone blood test, as part of this ongoing …
Government Equalities Office
44 Recommendation 1st Report - Women's reproductive healt… Acknowledged

Ensure women's health hubs meet specific demographic needs, accounting for religious and cultural considerations.

Integrated care boards must ensure that their hubs meet the specific demographic needs of their populations, particularly accounting for religious and cultural considerations.

Government response. The government agrees that hubs must be tailored to local needs and highlights that NHS England is developing an equity framework for ICBs, which hubs are likely to implement. It also notes existing legal duties and programmes for reducing health …
Government Equalities Office
45 Conclusion 1st Report - Women's reproductive healt… Acknowledged

Postcode lottery in primary care access to long-acting reversible contraception creates delays and burdens.

There remains a postcode lottery of access in primary care to long-acting reversible contraception. As a result, some women are having to seek care from secondary or community services, leading to delays in treatment and an unnecessary burden on secondary care. This is a preventable cost to the system and …

Government response. The government acknowledges the vital role of GPs in LARC provision and states it will consider fee structures and announce future funding allocations in due course, while continuing to work with partners to understand training issues.
Government Equalities Office
46 Recommendation 1st Report - Women's reproductive healt… Acknowledged

Develop funding and training strategy to address insufficient LARC provision in general practice.

The Government should develop a funding and training strategy to address the lack of LARC provision in general practice, particularly in those areas not covered by a women’s health hub. This should include an assessment of whether the current fee structure is fit for purpose. (Paragraph 164) Research

Government response. The government acknowledges the vital role of GPs in LARC provision and states it will consider the fee structures for LARC. It also notes that it continues to work with partners to understand training issues, and future funding allocations will …
Government Equalities Office

Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions
Date Witnesses
13 Nov 2024 Dr Sue Mann, Professor Dame Lesley Regan View ↗
29 Nov 2023 Charlotte McArdle · NHS England, Dr Judith Richardson · National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Dr Robin Buckle · Medical Research Council, Maria Caulfield MP · Department of Health and Social Care, Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Professor Hilary Critchley FMedSci · Academy of Medical Sciences, Professor Lucy Chappell FMedSci · National Institute of Health and Care Research View ↗
8 Nov 2023 Dr Anne Connolly MBE · Menstrual Health Coalition, Dr Geeta Kumar · Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Dr Michael Mulholland · Royal College of General Practitioners, Janet Lindsay · Wellbeing of Women, Professor Sue Carr · General Medical Council (GMC), Rebekah Lloyd · This Independent Life View ↗
18 Oct 2023 Naga Munchetty, Vicky Pattison View ↗

Correspondence

2 letters
DateDirectionTitle
31 Jan 2024 Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of H…
10 Jan 2024 Correspondence from Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, NHS England, relating to Wome…