Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon, has welcomed the announcement of new measures to boost the health and wellbeing of women and girls. The announcement includes taking action to support those who have experienced the tragedy of baby loss.
Since the women’s health strategy was launched last year hundreds of thousands of women have already directly benefited from the strategy and the Government is building on its success by launching a women’s health area on the NHS website. The new dedicated area will bring together over 100 topics on women’s health and will sit alongside a brand new Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) hub on the website. Since the launch, more than 300,000 certificates for HRT have already been purchased, with the new certificates saving the average person around £30 for a year’s supply.
The Government is also going further to support the wellbeing of women experiencing the heartbreak of baby loss. The support includes issuing a full response to the findings published by the independent Pregnancy Loss Review into the care and support available to women when baby loss occurs before 24 weeks gestation. From October parents who lose a baby before 24 weeks will be able to apply for a certificate of baby loss. These certificates will serve as a document that acknowledges pregnancy loss and help bereaved parents with the unimaginable pain and grieving process. The certificate will be trialled with 1,000 bereaved families this summer, who will be able to advise the Government on the application process and receive a certificate themselves.
Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon said:
“I am delighted to be celebrating the first anniversary of the Women’s Health Strategy that has seen over 300,000 more women accessing cheaper Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) and new womens’ hubs opening up across the country.
“I also welcome the new measures by the Department for Health and Social Care to boost the health and wellbeing of women and girls, which include taking action to support those who have experienced the tragedy of baby loss. The Pregnancy Loss Review offers an opportunity to help families experiencing baby loss and bring about change in how we view and support families suffering with pregnancy loss.
“As the first female MP for North Devon, focussing on women’s health and our Women’s Health Strategy has played a significant part in my role as an MP, and is something that I will continue to champion on a daily basis.”
Maria Caulfield, Minister for Women’s Health said:
“A year on from the launch of our women’s health strategy, we have much progress to celebrate. Over 300,000 more women have accessed cheaper HRT; new women’s health hubs are popping up across the country; and we’re adding a dedicated women’s health area to the NHS website. But there is plenty more to do.
“Our work continues to support women through the agony of pregnancy loss. I’d like to thank all the brave and inspiring women who have campaigned tirelessly for change as well as the review leads Zoe Clark-Coates and Samantha Collinge, who carried out this really important review.
“We will keep working and investing so girls and women across the country can benefit from the world-class healthcare they deserve.”
