In response to the Government's 2025 mandate to NHS England and NHS Operational Planning Guidance 2025-26. Dr Ranee Thakar, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said:
“In its manifesto the new Government committed to prioritising women’s health, so to see no mention of women in the new NHS Operational Guidance published today is extremely disappointing.
"Despite the RCOG and other women’s health organisations repeatedly calling for women’s health hubs to be prioritised, the Government has removed the mandate for them to be created, and the funding to ensure they remain open. The hub model increases the services women can access in the community and the prevention of poor health outcomes, they also play an important role in delivering improved efficiency across the system, ultimately cutting waiting lists. Crucially the Government is ignoring its own cost benefit analysis, which clearly shows an economic benefit in establishing women's health hubs"
“We urge the Government to take the health of 51% of the population in to account when considering the upcoming Spending Review, the NHS 10 year plan and the future of the Women’s Health Strategy. These all offer clear opportunities to bolster women’s health, and enable women access to high quality care throughout their lifetimes.
“Whilst we are pleased that investment in improving maternity care will continue, we implore this Government to consider the value of investing in women’s health in its entirety.”
- Read our open letter issued on 29 January 2025 to the Secretary of State here.