Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report by the Menstrual Health Coalition, entitled Heavy menstrual bleeding breaking silence and stigma, published in March 2020, whether his Department has plans to increase the length of GP appointments for women and girls with heavy menstrual bleeding; and if he will make a statement.
NHS England advise that general practitioners (GPs) use their clinical judgement in deciding how long an appointment should last for – this is not set out in the GP contract.
NHS England is undertaking a national review of access to general practice services with the intention of full implementation by 2021/22. The aim is to offer both improved choice and convenience of appointments, including using different models of access such as digital consultations, longer consultations or group appointments.
This is intended to address inequalities in access and improve public and patient satisfaction in access to general practice and primary care services.