Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Deferred
Paragraph: 65
Healthcare practitioners insufficiently understand reproductive health treatment options and their impact on patients.
Conclusion
Healthcare practitioners lack sufficient understanding of the range and suitability of treatment options available to treat reproductive health conditions. Too often conditions are viewed through the prism of fertility which, while a necessary consideration, should not be the only factor influencing a clinician’s judgement. There is also an evident lack of empathy in primary care around the adverse effects some treatment options may have on a patient. For example, approaches which focus on managing symptoms rather than diagnosis risk diseases progressing with potentially life altering consequences.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government did not address the core recommendation about practitioners' lack of understanding, empathy, and narrow focus on fertility. It instead acknowledged the negative impact of mixed waiting areas and committed that NHS England will publish the findings of the NHS maternity and neonatal estates survey in early 2025.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
65
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
The government is committed to ensuring that women receive comprehensive, up-to-date information about diagnostic and treatment options for reproductive health conditions. Healthcare professionals are expected to provide women with detailed information ahead of any surgical procedure, enabling them to make informed decisions about their care. This includes discussing: • the full range of options available • waiting times • the outcomes of surgical procedures • non-invasive alternatives Women should also have the opportunity to discuss pain relief options, including local or general anaesthetic and alternative treatments such as pelvic ultrasound, where available. These conversations should be undertaken using a shared decision-making approach that ensures individuals are supported to make decisions that are right for them. NHS England has published a summary guide on the use of shared decision-making. These discussions and approach: • ensure that women understand what to expect • help women explore the relative benefits and disadvantages of available treatments • promote informed decision-making • ensure that care is tailored to individual needs and preferences All healthcare professionals are required to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) and maintain up-to-date knowledge of new diagnostic and treatment options. Their scope of practice is overseen by: • professional accreditation schemes • employer appraisals • professional obligations to stay current in their field While not all healthcare professionals specialise in women’s health, women’s health hubs provide a higher level of expertise and care. These hubs allow women to have in-depth discussions about their options prior to procedures and ensure access to specialist knowledge. By reducing regional variation in the quality of information and care provided, women’s health hubs are helping to address disparities and improve outcomes regardless of a woman’s initial point of access.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗