'Women's Health: The Promises, The Gaps, and Why Local Action Matters
“This comes just months after Labour pledged in their manifesto:
“Never again will women’s health be neglected. Labour will prioritise women’s health as we
reform the NHS.”
The contradiction is staggering. And here in Jersey, we’re facing our own reckoning."
This week has been a whirlwind of emotion, policy changes, and reflection — and it’s only
early April.
On Saturday 5th April, the UK Government introduced a hugely welcome entitlement for
thousands of new parents. Under the Plan for Change, parents of children in neonatal care
will now be entitled to 12 additional weeks of leave and pay. It's a step forward, rooted in
the idea that families need job security, protected income, and compassionate workplace
support.
But will Jersey follow suit?
Because, on the other side of the channel, another story was unfolding. On 31st January, UK
Health Secretary Wes Streeting cut spending on women’s health and halved the number of
NHS targets — including scrapping the goal for Women's Health Hubs in each region.
These hubs were working. They were supporting people through menopause, reproductive
conditions, and giving real relief to overstretched GP surgeries.
Dame Lesley Regan, who led the campaign, called them a success. And yet, they were
dropped.
This comes just months after Labour pledged in their manifesto:
“Never again will women’s health be neglected. Labour will prioritise women’s health as we
reform the NHS.”
The contradiction is staggering. And here in Jersey, we’re facing our own reckoning.
You may remember the survey sent to over 1,600 women in Jersey. Many took time to
share personal stories, health experiences, and hopes for change. And yet, months later — no
formal action plan has been published. I’ve questioned the promotion and timeline of the
survey before, especially when Deputy Binet announced the women’s health strategy had
been scrapped before the survey even closed.
So where is the accountability? Where is the five-year plan we deserve?
Deputy Louise Doublet, head of Scrutiny, is giving us an opportunity to be heard. On 30th
April, between 12–2pm at st Pauls Centre, St Helier she’ll be hosting an open forum — a
space where we can ask questions, raise concerns, and demand that the results of the survey
are taken seriously by the Health Minister and his team. I’ll be there, and I encourage every
woman who wants to be heard to come too.
Over this past week, I’ve taken multiple calls from women who feel ignored, dismissed,
even gaslighted by medical professionals. Some of them are in crisis. This is not
acceptable. Mental health still seems to live in the shadows, particularly for women — and
especially when compounded by the rising cost of living, which for many, feels crushing.
That’s part of why Eve Studios — our women’s health and wellbeing hub — is more urgent
than ever.
Why Eve Matters
Let me introduce Emma, age 17. She recently told me she’d been working out. I
complimented her strength — but she looked down, embarrassed, and admitted she didn’t
like her body. “Too much puppy fat,” she said. I asked who she was comparing herself to. She
avoids social media because it makes her feel worse, and in the gym, she hears comments
from male classmates when she lifts weights.
This is the reality for many of our young women.
And it’s not just about fitness — it’s about confidence, perception, and support. Emma didn’t
fully understand nutrition. She called herself a “foodie” but had never been taught how to eat
in a way that supports her training. She told me that so many of her friends are too scared
to go to the gym for fear of being judged or harassed.
Just when I thought we’d come so far, I realised again: we’re still living in a society that
doesn’t always allow women to be strong — without calling them “different” or “too
much.”
That’s why Eve Studios will include:
Nutritional support and education
Safe spaces for young women to train
Guidance around conditions like PCOS, where the standard response too often is
“lose weight” with no support or plan provided.
Let’s take Sarah, 20, recently diagnosed with PCOS. She was told she was overweight but
offered nothing in the way of dietary guidance, emotional support, or referral to appropriate
care. Eve will change that.
We’ll offer support groups for conditions like PMDD, POI, Endometriosis,
gynaecological cancers, and Adenomyosis — spaces where women can connect, share, and
get real tools to rebuild their lives.
A Word on Our Young Women
Today, I’ve focused on our younger generation — because they are our future. Helping
them understand what “healthy” truly means — not in comparison to influencers or filters,
but in confidence, strength, and joy — is essential.
Eve Studios will also bring energy, with D&B (Drum & Bass) fitness classes, and yes, even
flash mob-style pop-up sessions. Who says fitness fun is just for the young?
The truth is, many of the questions we ask may still be unanswered after April 30th.
So let’s stop relying solely on government. Let’s look to each other. Let’s take action,
together.
You don’t have to overhaul your life. Walk for 30 minutes before work. Get off the bus a stop
earlier. Take the stairs. Drink your tea and breathe. One choice at a time.
Because change isn’t just policy. It’s personal.
#JustDoIt
#WomensHealthMatters
#JerseyStrong
