Highlighting failings in women’s healthcare in Wales, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has today called on the Welsh Government to take action to help women “feel empowered in their health and have the confidence to visit their GP if they feel something is wrong”.
In today’s Member Debate under on ‘Women's healthcare’, Mr Isherwood highlighted a number of areas where women are being let down by the health care system in Wales.
He spoke at length about Ovarian Cancer and the fact Wales has some of the worst survival rates for ovarian cancer in Europe.
He also urged the Welsh Government to heed Marie Curie's findings that gender can affect experiences of palliative and end-of-life care.
He said:
“Over 300 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in Wales, and more women die as a result of ovarian cancer in the UK than all other gynaecological cancers combined, yet this disease continues to be overlooked.
“Speaking here in January 2022, I urged the Welsh Government to respond to the call for an Ovarian Cancer Awareness campaign in Wales. I noted that the earlier ovarian cancer is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat, yet in Wales only 15 per cent of women would make an urgent GP appointment if they were to experience the symptom of persistent bloating, and that needs to change.
“In April last year, I hosted Target Ovarian Cancer's Pathfinder Wales Senedd reception, where I emphasised, or expressed disappointment, that despite the then-National Assembly for Wales's Petitions Committee producing a report in 2017 calling for a public-facing ovarian cancer awareness campaign in Wales, there had, to date, been no specific awareness campaign for ovarian cancer.
“Too often, women's pain and discomfort have not been taken seriously, and they've not been equipped with the information they need on gynaecological conditions and cancers.”
He added:
“The Welsh Government must strengthen the expectations for NHS services in the Quality Statement for women and girls' health, helping improve awareness and GP education.
“The Welsh Government must consider how it will take action to improve awareness around gynaecological cancers that have no viable screening programme, such as ovarian. Women must feel empowered in their health and have the confidence to visit their GP if they feel something is wrong.”
He referred to Target Ovarian Cancer’s calls for a Government-funded awareness campaign, so everyone knows the symptoms of ovarian cancer, and a shorter diagnostic pathway for ovarian cancer, with support and training for GPs.
He said:
“I urge the Welsh Government to heed their call.
“I also urge the Welsh Government to heed Marie Curie's findings that gender can affect experiences of palliative and end-of-life care.”
Mr Isherwood stressed that factors relating to sex and gender have led to discrepancies in how some women report symptoms, the pain they experience and the treatment they receive as they approach the end of life.
He added:
“Some research suggests that women's understanding and views of palliative and end-of-life care can be affected by social norms and gender bias, which could result in inequalities in the way women are approaching, deciding on and, ultimately, accessing treatments that could improve their quality of life. Improved access to data and evidence about women's access to and experience of palliative and end-of-life care is, therefore, needed to ensure that services are meeting women's needs. And palliative and end-of-life care must be included in the women and girls' health plan.”
