Health Services: Women

Department of Health and Social Care written question – answered at on 2 June 2026.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Jessica Toale Jessica Toale Labour, Bournemouth West

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether Integrated Care Boards will be required to demonstrate alignment with the renewed Women's Health Strategy in annual delivery plans; and what consequences will apply where they do not comply.

Photo of Karin Smyth Karin Smyth Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The 10-Year Health Plan set out our ambition for high autonomy to be the norm across every part of the country. Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services that meet the healthcare needs of their local population and have the freedom to do so, including women’s health. The Government is backing ICBs to do this through record funding.

Whilst we have moved away from endless central targets through the planning guidance, we have been very clear with ICBs that we expect them to continue their prioritisation of women’s health services.

The Renewed Women’s Health Strategy commits to using insights from what women are saying to improve how services respond. With patient power payments, an innovative pilot approach that will focus on specific gynaecology services as a first step, patients will be contacted after care and given a say on whether the full payment for the costs of their care should be released to the providers. Prioritising specific gynaecology services will provide a new mechanism to ensure providers are responsive to women’s voices.

Does this answer the above question?

Yes1 person thinks so

No0 people think not

Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.

Secretary of State

Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.