Women's health plan 2021 to 2024: final report

Foreword by the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health

As Minister for Women’s Health, I am pleased to present the final report for the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan 2021-24. The Plan marked the beginning of a journey, where we start to create the conditions needed to improve health outcomes for all women and girls in Scotland.

The Plan was published in August 2021, in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic. Scotland found itself in a new landscape and the progress detailed in this report is a testament to the hard work and commitment of colleagues across Scotland who have driven forward improvements in women’s health in that incredibly challenging environment.

However, it is important that I acknowledge that difficult times remain, as we are now in the most challenging financial situation since devolution. Our health and social care service has been, and continues to be, under significant pressure. Evidence is clear that women are particularly disadvantaged during times of financial difficulty and so I am determined that our focus on the health of women and girls continues.

As articulated in the Women’s Health Plan, women are individuals, with individual needs, experiences and backgrounds which impact their health and wellbeing^[1]. We know that a complex array of factors impact the health and wellbeing of women and girls and we know that these factors cannot be addressed solely by a Women’s Health Plan. And they are not.

The Women’s Health Plan does not exist in isolation. It is part of a much wider picture and a programme of activity to improve women’s health and healthcare services. Policies across the Scottish Government, in health and beyond, are making a difference to women’s health, including pregnancy and maternity, screening, mental health, fair work, employability, childcare and more.

Since the publication of the Plan, significant work has taken place across the Scottish Government, NHS Boards, Academia and the Third Sector to bring us closer to the realisation of this ambition. I am continually impressed by the widespread enthusiasm and innovative thinking among our stakeholders to support the aims of the Women’s Health Plan.

This report provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made, the networks built, and the action delivered over the past three years. We now have a Women’s Health Leads Network; a specialist menopause service in every mainland health board and a ‘buddy’ support system in place for the Island health boards; we have a new women’s health platform on NHS Inform; there is a menopause and menstrual health workplace policy for NHS Scotland and we have a Women’s Health Champion, Professor Anna Glasier OBE. These things did not exist prior to the Women’s Health Plan.

The role of the Women’s Health Champion has been pivotal in driving forward action, providing support - and challenge - as we implement the Women’s Health Plan. Professor Glasier is leading ground-breaking work, including chairing the newly convened Abortion Law Review and Eliminating

Cervical Cancer working groups and providing demonstrable leadership in the Women’s Health Plan’s priorities and beyond. I am delighted that Professor Glasier will remain in her role as Scotland’s Women’s Health Champion.

Despite progress made over the past three years we know more needs to be done.

The Plan recognised the need for a societal and cultural shift in attitudes towards women’s health to tackle the inequalities that women have faced for generations. This does not happen overnight, nor can it if we are to see lasting change. There are also specific areas where renewed and targeted focus is required.

This first phase of the Women’s Health Plan has provided a solid foundation for us build upon, but we are not finished. We must all continue to work to ensure women and girls in Scotland are listened to, informed, and supported to enjoy the best possible health throughout their lives.

Jenni Minto, MSP, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health.