SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
The listening exercise will take place alongside the development of a Women’s Health Action Plan and will help pave the way for the development of a longer-term comprehensive Women’s Health Strategy for Northern Ireland.
The announcement was made in advance of International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8.
Said Ms. McLaughlin: “This is a very welcome announcement from the Department of the Health and it is particularly welcome to see this work led by an organisation from the North West in Derry Well Women, which has done incredible work in putting this issue front and centre where it belongs.
“Since I was elected, I have campaigned on women’s healthcare and lobbied for comprehensive measures from the Department to break down all the barriers women facing in accessing their care, from the social stigma and taboo that sets in whenever discussing menopause or periods, an absence of funding for women-specific conditions and a lack of training for healthcare professionals.
“This work will involve a range of surveys and focus groups.
“In my own survey on women’s health conducted last year, 90% of respondents felt that there was inadequate service provision available for the biggest healthcare issues affecting women, listing mental health, gynaecological services, menopause support and violence against women and girls as some of the major healthcare issues facing women.
“The personal stories of the women who responded to this survey were powerful and harrowing and I wasted no time in presenting them directly to the Department of Health, which I hope has informed the progress on women’s health announced today.
“Ultimately, this announcement is only the start of this work and I look forward to seeing the publication of the timeline for the large-scale public listening exercise released in the coming weeks.
“When those events do take place, I would encourage as many women as possible to participate, particularly from the North West and tell their lived experiences.
“It is only by telling our stories about this broken service that we can finally ensure that the healthcare system works for everyone in our community”.
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