Geographic Disparities in Contraception Access
Geographic disparities ('postcode lottery') in primary care access to long-acting reversible contraception.
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#45 - 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 to the wellbeing of the individual. While the...
Matched on
terms: acces, contraception
Committee recommendation
72match
#37 - 12th Report – Menstrual health of girls and young women
The renewed Women’s Health Strategy must include increasing access to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) as a top priority. There must be a shift across the healthcare system to view LARC as a tool for menstrual health management, not only for contraception. The current commissioning rules prevent far too many girls and women from accessing LARC for menstrual health...
Matched on
terms: acces, contraception
Committee recommendation
72match
#36 - 12th Report – Menstrual health of girls and young women
The fragmented commissioning system for long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is preventing many women from accessing LARC, which can be an effective treatment for menstrual problems. The current system results in many women being added unnecessarily to huge elective gynaecology waiting lists for hospital treatment. It also discriminates against women in lesbian couples. That so many women are unnecessarily...
Matched on
terms: acces, contraception
Committee recommendation
67match
#39 - 12th Report – Menstrual health of girls and young women
We strongly disagree with the Minister’s argument that further ringfenced funding to support NHS Integrated Care Boards to maintain and develop women’s health hubs is unnecessary. The implementation of women’s health hubs is not complete. There are inconsistencies in provision, they do not cover all areas of the country and not all of those that have been established...
Matched on
terms: acces, contraception
Committee recommendation
66match
#20 - Significant regional disparities exist in family court case durations, particularly in London.
In some regions, particularly London, children have to wait much longer than in other areas to have their cases concluded.41 In December 2024, the average duration for public law cases was 24 weeks in Wales but 53 weeks in London; and for private law, it was 18 weeks for Wales and 70 weeks for London.42 Family courts in...
Matched on
terms: disparitie
PFD report
65match
Susan Adams
Difficulties arise in accessing consistent secondary psychiatric care for individuals residing near county boundaries where services are split, potentially impacting the quality of treatment.
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terms: acces
Committee recommendation
65match
#2 - Inconsistent FGM survivor services and poor referral pathways create postcode lottery
Services for FGM survivors and access to them remains inconsistent across the UK. While some variation in access to services may be expected in line with local prevalence, there is a lack of effective referral pathways. This has created a postcode lottery that risks leaving women and girls without the essential support and care they need. (Conclusion, Paragraph...
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terms: acces
Committee recommendation
64match
#25 - Prioritise longest elective surgery waiting lists and provide financial support for women's travel
Measures to reduce waiting lists for elective surgery should prioritise areas where waiting lists are longest and disparities greatest. The NHS should provide financial support to women to allow them to travel further to access care earlier.
Matched on
terms: acces, disparitie
Committee recommendation
60match
#13 - Eighth Report - Covid-19 in developing countries: secondary impacts
Access to sexual and reproductive health services is an essential element of healthcare, providing lifesaving services to women and girls and empowering them to make choices about their futures. The FCDO should publish an assessment of the effectiveness of current UK-funded programmes on the provision of sexual and reproductive health services in developing countries and should ringfence funding...
Matched on
terms: acces, contraception
Committee recommendation
60match
#38 - 12th Report – Menstrual health of girls and young women
A key success of women’s health hubs is that they have facilitated co- commissioning of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) by public authority sexual health services and NHS services. This can be an effective workaround for a dysfunctional LARC commissioning system that has been unfit for purpose since the Health and Social Care Act 2012 was introduced. Women’s health...
Matched on
terms: contraception
PFD report
57match
Constance Robinson
The coroner noted that the limited operating hours of two Hyper Acute Stroke units in Greater Manchester lead to extended ambulance journeys and potential delays in urgent overnight treatment. Patients would benefit from 24-hour access and medical staff availability at all units.
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terms: acces
PFD report
57match
REDACTED
The coroner raised concerns about limited public awareness regarding the risk of stroke from cocaine use and the variable availability of thrombectomy services across different geographical locations and times.
Matched on
terms: geographic
PFD report
57match
Sarah Read
The coroner noted a lack of provision for Thrombectomy Service after 5pm in Lancashire and that neighbouring Trusts cannot accept patients, raising concerns about access to this urgent treatment.
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terms: acces
PFD report
57match
Jasbir Pahal
The coroner notes the thrombectomy service for stroke patients operates only during limited weekday hours, denying access to this time-sensitive treatment for those suffering a stroke outside these times. This creates a disparity in access based on when a stroke occurs.
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
57match
#15 - Mandate NHS practitioners to stay updated and address regional disparities in reproductive health treatments.
The NHS must take steps to ensure healthcare practitioners keep up to date with the full range of diagnostic and treatment options available for reproductive health conditions. Those options, as well as waiting times and potential outcomes of surgical procedures and non-invasive alternatives, should be communicated to patients as a matter of course to allow informed, shared decision...
Matched on
terms: disparitie
Committee recommendation
57match
#4 - Ensure all FGM survivors access timely, essential support and specialist care nationwide
The Government should ensure that all FGM survivors can access the essential support and care they need in a timely manner. While some variation in service provision may be necessary to reflect local prevalence rates, higher-prevalence areas should offer funded multidisciplinary services that allow quick access to specialist care. In lower-prevalence areas, there must be clear referral pathways...
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
53match
#32 - Concerns remain that \
We asked whether choices labelled “local” are genuinely relevant to smaller communities, particularly in radio and local news. We underlined that local radio remains a “lifeline” for older audiences, and emphasised that, for example, “in Sheffield, local means Sheffield” rather than pooled content from larger hubs.77 The BBC agreed it must avoid “lumping anyone together in one geographic...
Matched on
terms: geographic
GIRFT recommendation
52match
Stroke
Conduct clear assessment of the health inequalities specific to geographical regions and groups. a) Undertake comprehensive review of the reversible risk factors of stroke in specific ISDNs appreciating hard to reach groups and social economic factors. Including but not exclusive to smoking, diet, alcohol and drug consumption, exercise levels, educational attainment, housing, employment, language barriers, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and...
Matched on
terms: geographic
Committee recommendation
51match
#123 - First Report - Universities and Scotland
On the subject of regional disparities in UKRI funding, Iain Stewart MP said to us “I don’t think there is a problem there to be solved. I don’t think we should get into the position of allocating money purely on a geographic basis. It is the strength of the bids and the strength of the research programmes [that...
Matched on
terms: disparitie, geographic
Committee recommendation
51match
#11 - First Report - The forgotten: how White working-class pupils have been let down, and how to...
We need a better solution to geographic disparities in education. The Government must acknowledge the diversity of challenges facing disadvantaged White communities and develop better ways to target support. We understand that Opportunity Areas are a relatively recent policy and it is difficult to evaluate them. We heard evidence about initial success, but we remain concerned about their...
Matched on
terms: disparitie, geographic
Committee recommendation
51match
#4 - Forty-First Report - COVID 19: the free school meals voucher scheme
The Department did not do enough to assess how far families had to travel to supermarkets in the scheme and whether coverage was adequate to meet needs. The Department worked with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to check there was at least one participating retailer in each local authority area. However, given the size of...
Matched on
terms: acces, geographic
PFD report
49match
Sean Kay
The coroner identified a significant gap in mental health service provision in Norfolk and Waveney for patients identified as At Risk Mental State (ARMS). These patients, despite high risk, did not meet criteria for existing services and consequently received no appropriate care.
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
48match
#17 - Variations in local drug treatment funding and services hinder access for many in need.
DHSC has allocated strategy funding for drug treatment and recovery to local authorities on a phased basis over three years, with the areas suffering greatest harm receiving priority.52 Mr Trace told us there is no national system, with variations in the availability and quality of services, particularly in areas such as criminal justice diversion schemes.53 The NAO report...
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
48match
#13 - Integrate female genital schistosomiasis care into UK SRHR programming with education and WASH.
Female genital schistosomiasis is a painful and debilitating but treatable condition affecting up to 56 million women. FGS is best tackled through an integrated approach with wider SRHR programming, as well as with other areas of programming such as education, WASH and HIV and AIDS. The UK should integrate female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) care into its SRHR programming....
Matched on
terms: acces
GIRFT recommendation
48match
Breast Surgery
Ensure equity of access to: oncoplastic surgery to support safe breast conservation; and breast reconstruction, with the aim of reducing variations in immediate reconstruction rates and variable access to free flap reconstruction techniques. (Breast MDTs should have a link to a plastic surgeon). a) Establish oncoplastic MDTs in every breast and plastic surgery unit (virtual/real). b) MDTs to...
Matched on
terms: acces
PFD report
45match
Emmanuel Akinmuyiwa
The coroner identified a lack of clear protocols in the West Midlands for managing sickle cell disease patients, noting that hospital staff had insufficient knowledge of crisis signs and treatment. This was compounded by a lack of funding to implement a regional 'hub and spoke' approach with consistent guidelines.
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classifier match
PFD report
45match
Robert Lloyd
The coroner noted difficulties in providing supportive treatment for alcohol abusers on the Isles of Scilly due to limited face-to-face support. This was exacerbated by reduced transport services, making it challenging for professionals to travel and engage with service users.
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PFD report
45match
Violet Howard
The coroner noted a gap in commissioning arrangements for dermatology services covering inpatients at Royal Oldham Hospital who are from outside the Oldham area, unless they become emergency dermatological cases.
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classifier match
PFD report
45match
Anthony Reedman
The coroner noted the absence of a 24/7 thrombectomy service at RCHT, resulting in an estimated 75 stroke patients in Cornwall not receiving this procedure. A lack of a service level agreement with the nearest 24/7 thrombectomy service further limits treatment options.
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classifier match
PFD report
45match
Charlotte Burton
A nationwide shortage of trained cardiologists means District General Hospitals lack out-of-hours, in-person assessment for suspected cardiac problems, relying instead on non-specialist staff and often impractical transfers.
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classifier match
PFD report
45match
Anthony Williams
The coroner identified national shortages of specialist scanning facilities and significant delays in the two-week cancer pathway, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatments, which impacts patient outcomes.
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classifier match
PFD report
45match
Christine Booker
The coroner noted the absence of out-of-hours interventional radiology at Dorset County Hospital, requiring patients needing urgent treatment to be transferred to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
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classifier match
PFD report
45match
Locket Williams
Insufficient psychiatric inpatient beds for children in Surrey, noting a new unit's limited capacity and scope. The new risk assessment system also lacks a clear suicide risk alert on medical records, potentially leading clinicians to miss vital information.
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classifier match
PFD report
45match
Phyllis Hart
The coroner noted the absence of a vascular team at the County Hospital in Stafford, which meant urgent vascular opinions could not be obtained.
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classifier match
PFD report
45match
Michelle Mason
The coroner notes the absence of a 24/7 thrombectomy service in Lancashire and a lack of understanding among non-stroke specialist clinicians regarding its availability. Additionally, there is no regional mutual aid for thrombectomy services.
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PFD report
45match
Greta Lewis
The coroner noted a gap in the availability of the time-critical thrombectomy emergency procedure for severe stroke patients in the South West region.
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classifier match
PFD report
45match
Keith Reynolds
The coroner notes that mechanical thrombectomy services are unavailable outside of 9 am to 5 pm in the region due to insufficient neuroradiologists, potentially leading to preventable deaths.
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Committee recommendation
45match
#58 - First Report - Biodiversity in the UK: bloom or bust?
In response to this report, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office should set out the extent to which the announced cuts to the UK’s aid budget will affect overseas development assistance for family planning and reproductive healthcare. We recommend that ODA for family planning and reproductive healthcare be protected: at the very least the percentage allocated to both...
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
45match
#57 - First Report - Biodiversity in the UK: bloom or bust?
Professor Dasgupta has emphasised that family planning and sexual and reproductive healthcare is a neglected feature of public policy. The unmet demand for family planning is huge and addressing human population numbers is also key to reducing our demands on the biosphere. The UK needs to remain a global leader in supporting family planning and encouraging other countries...
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Committee recommendation
44match
#65 - Second Report - Welfare policy in Scotland
Policy in Practice submitted written evidence outlining how there are practical issues for claimants to address in accessing job centres and their services in the more rural areas of Scotland. In their research, Policy in Practice found that uptake of benefits in rural areas decreases by up to 7% in some cases when compared with urban areas.158 They...
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
44match
#19 - Embed comprehensive age-appropriate sex education into FCDO ODA-funded education programmes.
Access to SRHR services and comprehensive sex education is vital to adolescents; however, adolescents may often face barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services. Ensuring that women and girls are fully educated on sexual and reproductive health can empower them and give them the autonomy to make informed decisions in life. Better education among women and girls...
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
44match
#11 - Support menstrual health by providing WASH services, menstrual products, and age-appropriate education on menstruation.
The FCDO should support menstrual health by supporting the provision of WASH services and infrastructure and access to menstrual products. In particular, the FCDO should ensure that its work in the education and WASH sectors complement its SRHR work in this area, for example, ensuring that education programmes include the provision of appropriate sanitary facilities. It should also...
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
44match
#10 - Inadequate menstrual health information and WASH services hinder women and girls in low-income countries.
To meet menstrual health needs, women and girls must be able to access accurate, timely and age-appropriate information about menstruation. In addition, they need access to WASH services and inclusive infrastructure. Without adequate services and facilities, managing menstruation can be a challenge for women and girls in low-and-middle-income countries, preventing them from accessing education and employment opportunities. This...
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
44match
#26 - 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 many women are waiting for more than one...
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
44match
#21 - Commission women's health hubs to include mental health support in core specification in underserved areas
Women’s health hubs situated in areas where access to appropriate mental health services is lacking should be commissioned to include mental health support as part of their core specification.
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
43match
#2 - 1st Report - A sustainable veterinary workforce
While recruitment has stabilised and the arrival of new entrants through the pipeline has increased, significant and persistent gaps remain in public sector roles, geographically isolated practices and other “deficit areas”. High attrition rates and a “constant churn” in some areas are leading to a loss of expertise and impose ongoing costs on employers. This is not an...
Matched on
terms: geographic
Committee recommendation
43match
#6 - 6th Report - Palliative Care
It is unacceptable that access to 24/7 palliative and end of life care services remains patchy throughout England. Individuals nearing the end of life should be able to access the right care, advice and medication, wherever they are and regardless of the time of day. We are pleased that the Minister committed to 100% telephone line coverage in...
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
41match
#46 - 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
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#45 - Significantly increase BFI funded short film schemes in the nations and regions.
We recommend that the BFI significantly increase the number of funded short film schemes in the nations and regions. This could be rapidly delivered though BFI Skills Clusters by targeting funding to schemes giving the next generation of filmmakers the chance to develop their skills and professional reputations. (Recommendation, Paragraph 154) Cinema exhibition
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Committee recommendation
41match
#24 - Split British Film Commission and Film London CEO roles to address London-centric bias.
To address the industry’s perceptions of organisational London-centric bias, the Government should split the roles of British Film Commission CEO and Film London CEO the next time that the existing contracts are negotiated or the roles advertised. (Recommendation, Paragraph 88)
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