Women asked how health services should be improved
Women across Derby and Derbyshire are being asked to give their views and help contribute towards improved health services.
NHS Derby and Derbyshire has been allocated £595,000 funding to change the way services are provided – and health leaders want to hear women’s views about what would make things better.
A survey is to be launched in the coming days for any woman across the county, asking questions about:
- experiences of accessing services for women’s health issues
- understanding and knowledge about women’s health
- information around women’s health, including screening
- communication preferences
Look out for the survey on the Derby and Derbyshire Involvement website.
Additionally, specific minority groups and seldom heard groups are being asked to contribute their views through a series of local and subject area workshops.
Community Action Derby and Link Community Voluntary Services in Derbyshire are running the workshops between November and Christmas for groups such as Asian women, Black women, deaf women and women who have learning disabilities.
The services being asked about include those that help with:
- menstrual problems
- menopause
- contraception
- preconception care
- breast pain
- cervical screenings
- sexually transmitted infections
Dr Kath Bagshaw, a GP at Littlewick Medical Centre, Ilkeston, is NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board deputy chief medical officer and clinical lead for the project.
She said: “We have an opportunity in this financial year to make improvements to women’s health services.
“We know by involving and speaking to local women that we can shape services to meet their needs.
“We can also make sure that the services meet the needs of different communities and are delivered in a way that best suits them.
“We also want to understand what stops women from accessing the care they need and finding solutions to address any challenges.
“Our aim is to create an open, inclusive, and valuable health service that truly meets the needs of women in Derby and Derbyshire.”
Examples of where women’s health services might be improved include:
- services such as contraception and menopause support are funded differently, so women have to use different services
- there is no specific sexual health clinic site for young women in Derby and there is also poor follow-up and support available for contraception after abortion and/or after having a baby
- some specialist services in hospitals have long waiting times for an appointment
Additionally certain groups of women face more challenges accessing quality healthcare. These groups may include:
- those from minority ethnic backgrounds
- those from more deprived areas
- those with disabilities
- those who identify as LGBTQ+
- Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
- refugees
- carers
It is planned to use the results from the listening exercise to make recommendations about how women’s health services should change for the better.