Wes Streeting Vows to End 'Medical Misogyny' With Sweeping NHS Women's Health Strategy
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has unveiled a renewed Women's Health Strategy for England, pledging to tackle what he called an "appalling culture of medical misogyny" within the NHS and ensure women are no longer "ignored, gaslit, or humiliated" when seeking care.
The strategy, published on 15 April 2026, introduces a series of transformative measures designed to overhaul how the NHS treats women, from mandatory pain relief for invasive gynaecological procedures to a new trial linking provider funding directly to patient feedback.
Key Measures
Under the renewed strategy, a new standard of care will require that women are offered appropriate pain relief for procedures such as coil fittings and hysteroscopies — procedures that have long been associated with inadequate pain management. A single referral point will also be established to direct women to the correct specialist first time, reducing the frustrating cycle of repeat appointments that many patients currently endure.
The strategy also targets the notoriously long diagnostic waits for conditions such as endometriosis, which can currently take nearly a decade to identify. A £1 million menstrual health education programme will be launched to help young girls recognise the difference between healthy and unhealthy periods, while a £1.5 million Femtech challenge fund will accelerate innovation in women's healthcare.
Background
The relaunch follows a damning report from the Women and Equalities Committee in March 2026, which found that women's health had not been "sufficiently prioritised" in NHS reforms. Over 565,000 women were on gynaecological waiting lists in England as of January 2026, with only 56% being seen within the 18-week target, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Dr Sue Mann, NHS England's women's health director, said the strategy would "build significantly on existing efforts to ensure women are heard and receive specialist care." Emma Cox, Chief Executive of Endometriosis UK, welcomed the announcement but stressed that "decisive action" was now crucial to translate commitments into real improvements for patients.
Why It Matters
The strategy represents one of the most significant commitments to women's healthcare in England in years. It acknowledges systemic failures that have left millions of women undertreated and underserved, and sets out a framework for accountability through patient feedback and transparent progress reporting.
What's Next
The government has already reduced gynaecology waiting lists by over 30,000 since June 2024. Further details on implementation timelines and funding allocations are expected in the coming weeks, with the Women's Voices Partnership to be established to ensure ongoing input from organisations representing women across England. Sources: The Guardian, Gov.uk
