UK election 2024: where does women's health feature in the major party manifestos?
We review the Labour party, Conservative party and Liberal Democrat party manifestos
As the UK election approaches, women's health continues to be a critical issue that requires attention from a new incoming Government.
In this article, we explore how each major political party - Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats - is promising to address women's health, from maternity services to reproductive health and healthcare equality.
We analyse their commitments and policies to determine which party prioritises the health and wellbeing of women in the UK. Read on to discover where women's health features in the 2024 UK election manifestos.
Labour: what does the Labour party commit to in its manifesto on women’s health?
The Labour Party's plan for an NHS that is fit for the future includes an explicit promise on women’s health:
“Never again will women’s health be neglected. Labour will prioritise women’s health as we reform the NHS.”
This is included under as part of a section on reducing health inequalities, although there is no further detail given on this.
Within the rest of the manifesto there are several more references to women's health and maternity care. Specifically, Labour says it aims to improve maternity services by ensuring rapid improvement for trusts failing in maternity care. They say they will train thousands more midwives and set an explicit target to close the Black and Asian maternal mortality gap.
There is no further specific detail on women’s health, however there are a number of areas of focus in the manifesto that may have implications for women’s health. These include a focus on prevention, reduced waiting lists and an ambition to lead the world in clinical trials. On this latter point, dementia is called out specifically - “this will mean putting Britain at the forefront of transforming treatment for dementia”
» Read the full Labour party manifesto
What does the Conservative party commit to in its manifesto on women’s health?
Back in 2022 the Conversative party issued the first-ever Women’s Health Strategy for England. It was intended as a ten-year strategy, so it follows that the Conservative party manifesto commits to further focus on women’s health.
The manifesto includes a full section on women’s health, copied in full here:
“We will prioritise women’s health, following publication of the first ever Women’s Health Strategy in 2022.
To support women further, we will:
Bring forward a comprehensive national strategy for maternity care as recommended by the APPG on Birth Trauma’s inquiry.
Deliver additional funding for maternal safety and improve access to mental health services for new mums, improve perinatal pelvic health services to prevent and support women with birth injuries and postnatal appointments dedicated to checking mums, not just their babies.
Expand women’s health hubs so that every integrated care system has at least one hub up and running.
Roll out fracture liaison services to every region, reaching 100% coverage by 2030 as osteoporosis disproportionately impacts women.
Support continued research into disparities in maternity care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research.”
» Read the full Conservative party manifesto
What does the Liberal Democrat party commit to in its manifesto on women’s health?
The Liberal Democrat manifesto includes a section on reducing health inequalities although there is very limited detail on women’s health.
Mental health for women is one area called out specifically. The party commits to:
‘Transforming perinatal mental health support for those who are pregnant, new mothers and those who have experienced miscarriage or stillbirth.’
There is a commitment to guaranteed access to an NHS dentist for new mothers and those who are pregnant.
Finally, there may be implications for FemTech with a commitment to:
“Introducing a new kitemark for health apps and digital tools that are clinically proven to help people lead healthier lives.”
Plus, the manifesto talks about ring-fencing budgets to enable the NHS to adopt innovative digital tools that improve patient care and experiences.
Such a handy overview. Had a quick look through the Greens and couldn't spot anything in there.