Women's health matters.

The current government interest in women’s health care provides us with a unique opportunity to improve the care that women receive at every point across their life course. Realising this ambition will significantly reduce the inequalities that women currently experience when trying to access health care. Women are increasingly asking for advice and help with health concerns and symptoms that disturb or debilitate their day- to-day lives. They may have tolerated their problems for a long time, but only now feel empowered to talk about them following the positive media attention that menopause has received. There will be no additional funding made available or reduction in workload to manage and implement the recommendations of the Women’s Health Strategy. Nevertheless, there are many opportunities to improve efficiency by providing the life course holistic care that women want and need, preferably in a single episode or visit, thereby allowing women to get on with their education, employment, or caring responsibilities As Dame Lesley Regan says, ‘when we get it right for women, everyone in our society benefits’. Anne Connolly MBE, GP with a special interest in gynaecology, Bevan Healthcare, Bradford; Chair of Primary Care, Primary Care Women’s Health Forum. Dame Lesley Regan DBE, Professor and Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College at St Mary’s Hospital, London; Women’s Health Ambassador for England, Department of Health and Social Care, UK Government. Provenance Commissioned; not externally peer reviewed. Competing interests Anne Connolly has been paid by pharma for consultancy and providing education in women’s health. Further details of declarations can be found at: www.whopaysthisdoctor.org. Dame Lesley Regan has declared no competing interests. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp22X721193 ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Anne Connolly Bevan Healthcare, 14 Piccadilly, Bradford BD1 3LS, UK. Email: [email protected] British Journal of General Practice, December 2022 557

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