Women’s Health Strategy

Lord Kamall Excerpts

Tuesday 16th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The noble Baroness is absolutely right, and we are taking every opportunity to find the right ways to communicate with women about their healthcare. If I had to give a big message, it would be, “Don’t not put up with it”. That is a basic challenge to get across, because so many women do put up with health challenges when they should not. Many women’s health challenges have become normalised—“It’s just part of life, it’s your age” and so on—and I am very keen that, in the renewed women’s health strategy, we will take on that myth and also take on the services to match that.

[Lord Kamall (Con)]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for this Question and pay tribute to her consistent championing of women’s health issues. I also thank her for discussing the particular concerns behind this Question with me. I am sorry to return to gynaecology, but the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has raised concerns that cervical screening coverage remains well below NHS targets. Cancer Research says that low attendance is particularly evident in particular groups: the youngest as well as the oldest age group, and women from poor socioeconomic and ethnic minority backgrounds. Can the Minister update the House on how we can reach those women and encourage them to come forward for screening, particularly by working with local charities and community organisations that understand their communities far better?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

This is a very important point. The 10-year health plan restated the aim of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040 through the improved uptake of cervical screening and HPV vaccination. To the specific point, which is such an important one, in June—not many months ago—we announced that screening providers can offer home testing kits to underscreened individuals in the exact groups that the noble Lord refers to. I believe this will help tackle deeply entrenched barriers that keep some people away from life-saving screening. I am sure the whole House will reflect on the wise words and advice of His Majesty the King in imploring us all to take up the screening opportunities that there are. I certainly agree with that.