Debate contribution: Women's Health Strategy
Debate contribution by Mr Mike Nesbitt on .
- MLA
- Mr Mike Nesbitt
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 5 May 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Women's Health Strategy
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5524597
Read the official Assembly record
Text
That is a very important issue. I have to say that the scale of medical misogyny is difficult to quantify. It is essential that women feel listened to, respected and treated fairly when accessing the health and social care system. The action plan will consider the need for improved awareness of, training for and understanding of women's health issues across the full range of healthcare settings. I do not accept that the health and social care system is failing every woman on every issue, but it is clear that there is a level of misogyny. The Member is correct to identify it as a cultural issue. I think that all of us in the House recognise that cultural change is the highest bar to set for any organisation. However, that is not an obstacle to doing it; it has to be done, and it will be started on my watch. As well as hoping that the next Minister will commit to a strategy that includes dealing with medical misogyny, I will put in place quite a radical reform of how we fund the health and social care service.
188 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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