Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Deferred
Paragraph: 102
Existing period and incontinence product schemes are inadequate, financially disadvantaging women and girls
Conclusion
More than half of the population will experience menstruation yet women and girls are financially disadvantaged by having to pay for essential products without which they cannot leave their homes, work or attend education. This is an unfair burden, not least given the existing context of a gender pay gap and a cost of living crisis which disproportionately affected women. For those with conditions such as heavy bleeding, the cost is higher and products are not always effective, further affecting their mental health. Existing period and incontinence product schemes are inadequate.
Government Response Summary
The government's response focused on the work of NICE in developing clinical guidelines for reproductive health conditions and its process for prioritising new guidance topics. It did not address the recommendation for reviewing period and incontinence product schemes or considering free provision of products.
Paragraph Reference:
102
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
We agree that reproductive health is an important area for the development of clinical guidelines. NICE has identified women’s and reproductive health as a priority area for guideline development, and already has an extensive portfolio of guidance in this area, including guidelines [NG73] on endometriosis (linked in the government response to ‘Recommendation 6’ in ‘Accessing a diagnosis’ above) and [NG88] Heavy menstrual bleeding: assessment and management . NICE is also currently developing or updating guidelines on important topics such as polycystic ovary syndrome (linked in the government response to ‘Recommendation 23’ in ‘Training and standards’ above) and [CG156] Fertility problems: assessment and treatment . NICE cannot, however, commit to developing guidance on all reproductive health conditions as it has limited capacity that has to be prioritised across the full breadth of NHS services. In 2024, NICE established a new approach to the identification and prioritisation of new guidance topics , including clinical guidelines, that ensures that its capacity is focused on topics that will have the largest impact on the health and care system. Any new reproductive health topics would be considered in line with the prioritisation framework. NICE guidelines provide authoritative, evidence-based guidance for the NHS on best practice and the NHS is expected to take them fully into account in ensuring that services meet the needs of their local populations. NICE provides a range of resources and advice to support the NHS to implement its guidance including resource impact assessments and clinical audit tools. It also has an adoption and implementation team that provides support to the system to enable the effective use of NICE guidance.