Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 43
43
Deferred
Paragraph: 161
Allocate long-term, ring-fenced funding and resources to embed and develop the women's health hub model.
Recommendation
We find that women’s health hubs have proven the concept that they can deliver improvements to women’s healthcare. The Government must now allocate long-term, ring-fenced funding and resource to embed the hub model and further support its development. That development should include increased provision of ultrasound facilities within hubs. Funding should be accompanied by a break-down of how it will be used and which services will be available in each area.
Government Response Summary
The government expresses commitment to local health services and acknowledges the positive impact of women's health hubs. However, it states that Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning and funding these services, and the core specification encourages ICBs to consider providing ultrasound facilities.
Paragraph Reference:
161
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
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.