The UK government is calling on the social care workforce to respond to a call for evidence that will help shape a new Women’s Health Strategy.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) wants women who are care workers to talk about their own personal experiences of the health and care sector and encouraging all social care workers regardless of gender to feed in about women they have looked after.
The strategy will be guided by the experiences of women from all walks of life, and by sharing their views in the call to evidence they are helping create a health and care system that works for them.
To enable as many women as possible to have their say, DHSC has extended the call for evidence, which will close on 13 June, by two weeks.
More than 50,000 women, carers, clinicians and organisations have responded to the call and more views are needed, said DHSC.
“Women make up 80 per cent of the social care workforce and they have an incredibly important viewpoint. Not only do they have their own personal experiences of the health and care system but they care for many women who have multiple health conditions. Their perspective is second to none,” said care minister Helen Whately (pictured).
“I’d urge everyone working in social care to make their voice heard in our call for evidence, as it is vital we better understand more about women’s experiences in the workplace and in care, ultimately making health and care work better for us all," she added.
Care England chief executive Martin Green said: “The Women's Health Strategy is a really timely piece, which we very much hope will overturn some of the historical inequities that continue to be played out in the workplace and society. For example, breaking those taboos which are often applied to women's health issues.”
More information about the Women’s Health Strategy can be found here.
