Oral Answers to Questions

Josh Dean Excerpts

Tuesday 25th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Kinnock]

The hon. Gentleman is right: it is the Government’s responsibility to give a steer to the Office for Students, and we are very close to being able to put that together. I am expecting some advice from my officials later in the week, and I shall be happy to keep the hon. Gentleman updated on further progress.

[Josh Dean (Hertford and Stortford) (Lab)]

10. What steps his Department is taking to tackle health inequalities impacting women in the NHS.

[The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Wes Streeting)]

Women’s health is a priority for me, for my Department and for the Government. Since I last answered questions in the House we have extended the NHS health check to include the menopause for the first time, following the brilliant campaigning of Menopause Mandate and others. We have also made the morning-after pill free in pharmacies. The Prime Minister is co-ordinating work across Government to tackle violence against women and girls, and in the health and care services we will play our part in protecting and supporting victims. I have also asked the Government’s women’s health ambassador to renew the women’s health strategy that was introduced by the last Government, so we can ensure that it is driving the right progress in the future.

[Josh Dean]

When my constituent Rachel attended numerous A&E departments with severe abdominal pain, swelling, fever and nausea, her fears of a ruptured ovarian cyst were repeatedly dismissed. In her day-to-day life Rachel is a professional advising on antimicrobial resistance around the world, but as a patient she felt that her concerns were being ignored and that she was being pushed aside. She is determined to use her experience to challenge the unacceptable medical misogyny that she and other women across the UK still face too often. What action are the Government taking to ensure that women are not left to endure painful reproductive health conditions, and will the Secretary of State agree to meet Rachel to hear her story at first hand?

[Wes Streeting]

I thank my hon. Friend for describing Rachel’s experience. We have introduced Jess’s rule and we are rolling out Martha’s rule, so that, whether in primary or acute care, patients’ voices will be heard and they will be given the power to ensure that health professionals are listening and responding appropriately. However, my hon. Friend is right to acknowledge that much of this arises from medical misogyny. It is not just a case of changing rules and regulations; it is a case of changing culture and practice, so that women are not just seen but heard and listened to. That is a fundamental problem that we determined to address—and of course I should be delighted to meet Rachel to hear about her experience at first hand.