Debate contribution: Women’s Health Strategy
Debate contribution by Mr Alan Chambers on .
- MLA
- Mr Alan Chambers
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 16 March 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Private Members' Business
- Heading
- Women’s Health Strategy
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5449079
Read the official Assembly record
Text
It is entirely right that the Assembly focus on improving outcomes for women in accessing services at every stage of their life. There is little doubt that significant disparities exist in women's health outcomes and in the timeliness with which care can be accessed. Access to gynaecological services, the diagnosis and management of conditions such as endometriosis and the need for more consistent menopause support are all issues that are raised regularly in the Chamber. Those concerns are real, and they deserve a serious response from the health system. While the motion highlights the challenges, it is also important that we acknowledge the progress that has been made to try to resolve them. The Minister has been clear that improving women's health outcomes is a priority. The work that is currently being undertaken to develop a women's health action plan is a significant step in that direction. Crucially, that work is being informed by the ongoing public listening exercise led by Derry Well Women in partnership with Queen's University Belfast. Thousands of women from across Northern Ireland have contributed their views and experiences through surveys, focus groups and engagement events. That approach is important. If we are serious about designing services that meet women's needs across the life course, those services must be shaped by the lived experiences of the women who use them. Taking the time to gather that evidence is not a delay but a necessary part of getting the policy right. The motion also makes comparisons with other jurisdictions that have adopted dedicated women's health strategies. In many cases, those strategies have been accompanied by significant additional funding and cross-government commitments. Without those elements in place, there is a real risk that a strategy becomes a list of aspirations rather than a deliverable plan. The Minister has therefore taken a pragmatic approach by focusing first on a women's health action plan that aligns with the wider reform agenda set out in the Health and Social Care (HSC) reset plan and the move towards a neighbourhood model of care.
That approach recognises that many aspects of women's healthcare are best delivered through strong primary and community care services rather than through already stretched hospital waiting lists. We need to explore not just the quickest way to support women but the most effective and accessible way. We are already beginning to see practical examples of that shift. The enhanced primary care gynaecology service is now a high-volume service with incredibly positive outcomes for the women involved. At the same time, additional investment through the Minister's elective care framework has supported waiting list initiatives with gynaecology services. Targeted funding has allowed trusts to prioritise time-critical assessments. I trust that all parties will continue to support the Minister's request for that funding to be protected in the upcoming Executive Budget-setting exercise. As MLAs, we understand that improving women's health outcomes will not happen overnight but will require a sustained effort, careful prioritisation and, ultimately, the resources to match our ambitions. The work that is under way is about listening directly to women, strengthening primary care pathways and tackling waiting lists. Ultimately, our shared objective should be clear: to ensure that women and girls across Northern Ireland receive timely, equitable and high-quality healthcare throughout their life. That is a goal that my party and I are happy to support.
557 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Awaiting analysis
This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.
Disagree with this assessment?
Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.