Dame Lesley Regan, the Women’s Health Ambassador for England, has visited Gateshead to witness firsthand how local partners are working together to improve community access to women’s health services. The visit highlighted the success of the Gateshead Women’s Health Hub, an initiative designed to provide joined up care in community locations.
Dame Lesley, who is a gynaecologist by training, has been a leading force in implementing the national Women’s Health Strategy, which was launched in the summer of 2022. A central priority of this strategy is the development of women’s health hubs: centres that “wrap” services around the individual rather than requiring patients to navigate multiple different departments.
The Gateshead Women’s Health Hub serves as a real-world operational example of this model in action. By bringing clinicians together with a common goal, the hub simplifies the healthcare journey for women in the region.
During her visit, Dame Lesley emphasised that the majority of women seeking healthcare are not necessarily “sick,” but are proactively trying to maintain their health.
The hub provides essential access to:
- Cervical screening (smears) to ensure long-term wellness.
- Contraception services for reproductive health management.
- Menstrual health support, specifically for managing heavy or painful periods.
- Menopause management to support women through significant life transitions.
This “one-stop” approach is not only more cost-effective for the NHS, but it is also significantly better for women’s lives. It allows them to manage their health needs in a single appointment rather than taking time off work or caring responsibilities on four or five separate occasions.
“It’s been a wonderful visit to Gateshead. I’ve really enjoyed talking to so many passionate clinicians about their determination to improve health for women, for everybody, to make services truly universal.”
— Dame Lesley Regan
The visit also provided an opportunity for Dame Lesley to meet with women currently using the service. She noted an “extraordinary buzz” in the room, observing that the women – who come from every walk of life – seemed to feel safe, looked after, and truly valued.
The success of the popup event is a clear reflection of the positive impact this initiative is having on the community. By delivering more care closer to where people live, the programme is helping to tackle health inequalities and support women to stay well as part of a wider five-year women’s health plan.
As Dame Lesley concluded, when services provide women with the tools they need to maintain their own health and that of their families, the entire community benefits.
Watch the video below to find out more