Health Secretary accuses NHS of ‘medical misogyny’ in women’s health overhaul

PoliticsHealth & Fitness
15 Apr 2026 • 9:07 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Health Secretary accuses NHS of ‘medical misogyny’ in women’s health overhaul

  • Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced a comprehensive package of measures to address the NHS "failing women" and prevent "gaslighting" within the health service.
  • The reforms aim to dismantle "outdated and misogynistic practices," particularly concerning pain relief during invasive procedures like coil fittings and hysteroscopies.
  • New proposals will empower women to influence the withholding of payments for services if they receive substandard care, linking patient feedback directly to provider funding.
  • Action will be taken to significantly reduce protracted diagnostic waiting times for common women's health conditions, such as endometriosis, which can currently take up to a decade to identify.
  • The renewed Women's Health Strategy follows a report by the Women and Equalities Committee, which concluded that women face "medical misogyny" in the healthcare system.

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