On 15 April 2026, the Health Secretary announced a renewed Women's Health Strategy committing to a range of improvements across women's health services. For health providers and their legal advisers, clearer clinical pathways and heightened patient awareness are likely to raise the bar on standard of care and the volume of claims.

Bold criticism of NHS provision for women’s health

Our Health Secretary Wes Streeting did not mince his words on 15 April 2026, when he gathered in London for the launch of the Government’s renewed Women’s Health Strategy. The Government’s plan is to improve vital health services for women, such as improving treatment of endometriosis. More broadly, they seek to remedy the gender health gap and address misogyny in medical care.

Women’s Health Strategy: What’s to change?

There are several key priorities highlighted in the Women’s Health Strategy originally launched in 2022 and now re-launched by Mr Streeting:

• Expanded endometriosis diagnostic pathways, with targets to reduce average diagnosis times from the historically reported seven-to-ten-year waiting period to under two years. 
• Enhanced menopause support services, including mandated HRT prescribing guidance and the establishment of specialist menopause clinics across all integrated care boards (ICBs). 
• Improved cervical screening uptake programmes, targeting the persistent decline in participation among younger women.

Mr Streeting has pledged that for women using gynaecology services, waiting lists will fall faster than the overall NHS waiting list. A new standard of care will be introduced to ensure women are offered appropriate pain relief for invasive gynaecological procedures such a coil fittings and hysteroscopies. 

To implement the initiatives, a £1.5 million FemTech challenge fund was included as part of the Women’s Health Strategy launch.

Significance for health providers and their legal advisers

From a malpractice perspective, these initiatives are significant. Delayed diagnosis of endometriosis and failure to offer appropriate HRT counselling have each given rise to negligence claims. Clear, standardised pathways reduce clinical discretion in ways that - whilst improving patient outcomes - also establish a clearer benchmark against which departures from standard care can be judged.

Implications for providers

Increased awareness and reporting

As the Government focuses on raising awareness and improving education around women’s health, it is likely that patients will become more informed about their rights and standards of care. We may see an increase in complaints and claims where care falls below expected standards, particularly in areas historically under-recognised such as gynaecological conditions and menopause management.

Enhanced clinical standards

The strategy’s emphasis on training and evidence-based practice should drive improvements in clinical standards. However, transitional periods often see inconsistencies in implementation, which can result in an increased risk of medical errors and potential negligence claims. Health providers will need to liaise with their legal advisers to monitor these developments closely, and health clients should be advised on best practices and risk mitigation.

Data-driven risk management

With improved data collection and research, there will be greater scrutiny of outcomes and trends in women’s health care. This presents an opportunity for legal advisers to use robust data in defending or pursuing claims, and to identify systemic issues that may give rise to group actions or policy changes.

What this means in practice

The Government’s plans to improve women’s health care represent a significant step forward in addressing historic inequalities. Medical malpractice firms must remain vigilant to the evolving landscape, ensuring clients are aware of new standards, potential risks, and relevant case law. By doing so, they can help foster safer, more equitable care for women while managing legal exposure.