Blog – Making women’s and girls’ health a priority in south east London
International Women’s Day takes place on 8 March and this year’s theme is ‘Accelerate Action’, focusing on the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to address the barriers women face.
Research has found a gender health gap in the UK where many women and girls receive poorer healthcare than men. Nearly two thirds of women in the UK believe their health issues are not taken seriously and more than half have had a negative experience with a healthcare professional. South east London is no different, with many residents finding it difficult to access the care and support they need in a timely way.
In response, South East London Integrated Care System and King’s Health Partners are creating Women’s and Girls’ Health Hubs to improve how care is delivered in our communities and close the gap on unfair and avoidable differences in health outcomes.
Anita Banerjee, Obstetric Physician and Consultant Physician in Diabetes and Endocrinology and General Internal Medicine at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, is supporting these efforts as System Lead for Prevention, Wellbeing and Equity education.
Below, she shares her insights into women’s and girls’ health and how we’re making a difference.
What are the key health challenges faced by women and girls in south east London today?
Women of reproductive age and those approaching or experiencing the menopause constitute approximately 61% (592,000) of south east London’s female population. However, they continue to face significant health challenges specific to their gender.
There has not been enough focus or funding for women’s health issues, and women and girls have been under-represented in clinical trials and health strategies nationwide, leading to fragmented services within our region.
Cultural perceptions of health and trust in healthcare need to be addressed to improve access and engagement with health services. By moving away from the male-focused approach to healthcare and providing more targeted care, we can reduce health inequalities – whether it’s access to preconception counselling, contraception, or treating perimenopausal symptoms.
This can only occur by listening with compassion to the voices of our voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations who represent underserved populations, and working with them to design solutions that truly meet the needs of local women and girls.
Can you tell us more about your role and how it supports the improvement of women’s and girls’ health?
I’ve led innovative educational programmes in many areas of medicine, with a strong focus on women’s health, and so I’m really excited for the introduction of Women’s and Girls’ Health Hubs as part of the Women’s Health Strategy in England.
As the System Lead for Prevention, Wellbeing and Equity education, my role is to provide clinical leadership and bring together key stakeholders to look at how we can improve understanding and treatment of women’s and girls’ health issues, both for our healthcare staff and residents. This will involve creating and collating education and training resources for our workforce, while raising awareness of, and improving access to health information and support for local women and girls.
Why are education and training important focuses for improving women’s and girls’ health services?
Education and training are crucial for equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge they need to improve care.
By identifying gaps in services and delivering multi-disciplinary training, we can ensure that women and girls receive the right support at the right time — across all stages of life.
What are your ambitions for the Women’s and Girls’ Health Hubs, and how do you see them transforming healthcare in the area?
Women’s and Girls’ Health Hubs will bring together diverse teams of healthcare professionals and advocates to support women and girls at every stage of life. The focus will be on education, prevention, and empowerment. This will help women to manage their own health, reduce unplanned pregnancies, and access the right care when they need it.
I want the hubs to become a core part of our healthcare system, improving access to care and reducing inequalities. By working alongside service users and frontline teams, we can build a sustainable model that not only benefits our local community but could be scaled up nationally and even globally.
What message would you share with healthcare professionals and the community about advancing women’s and girls’ health?
Make every encounter count — be bold, be compassionate, and work together for a brighter future to improve women’s and girls’ health equitably.