I’ve just returned from the Labour Party Conference. For me, the real interest is rarely in the main conference hall, but in the smaller meetings and panel sessions — the places where people can truly talk, listen, and agree on actions.
I was already scheduled to take part in several panels on women’s health, but when Baroness Merron, one of the health ministers, was unexpectedly unable to attend, I found myself stepping in for her as well.
Unsurprisingly, there were common themes. The economic insecurity that is the legacy of fourteen years of Conservative government has hit women hardest. Women earn less, yet carry the greater burden — and poverty and deprivation lead directly to poorer health outcomes.
It’s often said that women have more complex health needs than men, but it’s truer to say that they face a gap in the nature and quality of care available to them. Beyond the obvious issues around maternal health, women are disproportionately affected by mental health disorders, autoimmune and cardiovascular disease, arthritis, rheumatism, and other musculoskeletal conditions. It’s no coincidence that these areas tend to receive less funding and attention than those that affect men more.
A deeper structural problem also persists: the majority of medical training and research remains based on male bodies. In some areas this may not matter, but in many it does — from how diseases present and are diagnosed, to the effectiveness of treatments and the speed of recovery. There is an inbuilt gender imbalance at every stage.
That imbalance is particularly stark in the understanding and treatment of menopause. Too many women still struggle to access HRT or receive informed medical advice, creating a two-tier system where those who can afford private care are treated, while others are left to cope with debilitating symptoms without support.
We need greater awareness and a concerted effort to reduce stigma. Employers and healthcare professionals alike should receive proper training on menopause symptoms and their impact on daily life. Organisations must also adopt dedicated menopause policies to embed equality and support within their structures.
The conclusions across the panels were remarkably consistent. We need a healthcare system that recognises and responds to women’s needs — through better research, education, training, and clinical practice. We also need properly funded public health and social care services. And, above all, we need a fairer society: one with decent pay and conditions, stronger workers’ rights, and true empowerment for women over their health and their bodies.
