Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 42
42
Not Addressed
Paragraph: 160
Women's health hubs require national evaluation to ensure benefits and multi-service provision.
Recommendation
It is positive to hear that many of the leaders in the ICBs are focusing their hubs on disadvantaged groups. While local ownership, management and decentralisation of the hubs is important to meet local needs, regular national-level evaluations are also required to ensure that the hubs are providing the intended additional benefits and are not just a rebadging of existing services. It disappointing, for example, that it is rare for hubs to offer multiple services at the same time—something we view as a key benefit of the hub model.
Government Response Summary
The government reiterates its commitment to neighbourhood health services and the positive impacts of women's health hubs, noting that ICBs are responsible for commissioning and are encouraged to provide multiple services. It does not commit to national-level evaluations.
Paragraph Reference:
160
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
We are committed to moving towards a neighbourhood health service, with more care delivered in local communities, to identify and address problems earlier and closer to home. Women’s health hubs are an example of this approach and can play a key role in delivering the government’s manifesto commitments on tackling long NHS waiting lists, as well as shifting care into the community. We have heard evidence from ICSs on the positive impacts that women`s health hubs have on both women's access to care in the community and their experience. The published Women's health hubs: cost benefit analysis demonstrated £5 benefits for every £1 spent on women’s health hubs. ICBs are responsible for commissioning services that meet the healthcare needs of their local population, and they have the freedom to do so - this includes women's health hubs. The core specification for women’s health hubs (linked in the government response to 'Recommendation 3' in 'Public understanding of reproductive health conditions' above) encourages ICBs to consider providing ultrasound and other diagnostic or treatment procedures in their women’s health hubs.