Women's Health Strategy for England

[lynmynott]

Women's Health Strategy for England has been published. Thyroid wasn't mentioned as far as I could see but hopefully it will help women who have not been listened to about their conditions -

• The Women’s Health Strategy: gov.uk/government/publicati...

• The Press Notice: gov.uk/government/news/firs...

[mfinn]

I'm pleased to see they've used the words women and girls in it.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If there’s meant to be a picture…..it’s not showing correctly

[lynmynott Partner Thyroid UK in reply to SlowDragon]

Oh dear, not sure what happened there. It was just a logo..

[crimple]

lyn shall you be writing on behalf of TUK to mention thyroid issues.? I know a lot of people on here including me responded to the survey and I certainly gave them both barrels about women not being treated or poorly treated and the obsession with TSH

[lynmynott Partner Thyroid UK in reply to crimple]

We did make a submission to the strategy but unfortunately thyroid wasn't mentioned. We have had two important meetings this week re T3 campaign which I'll post about soon.

[arTistapple]

Lynmynott there are 2 important issues/mentions in the paper as it stands, referring to some of our symptoms (thyroid) which I think are critical; whilst as you are correct - no mention specifically of thyroid! PAIN as in childbearing years mainly BUT the other reference is in MSK (musculoskeletal) conditions. As far as I can make out in both situations “PAIN is Normal and to be ENDURED”. It is my understanding, looking at contributions (and my own experience) that this is actually what happens on the ground. This is what we deal with all the time. It’s bad enough that male doctors get away with saying this rubbish but it is even more shocking when it comes from females. It shouldn’t be more shocking. It’s my opinion that it’s arguably criminal to be covertly refusing care.

[crimple]

arTistappe, couldn't agree with you more

[crimple]

lyn, I have trawled through the Health Strategy which seems to focus purely on "women's problems relating to reproduction, pregnancy, breast cancer and a mention of MSK. All well and good but as we all know on here women with thyroid issue are discriminated against. We are just" moaning minnies" with TATT (tired all the time) and the obsession with TSH leads to far too many of us being under treated. I have been there, but won't be going back. I fight my corner now and remind them that dealing with ill health is a partnership between doctor and patient not a dictatorship.

In todays i paper there was an item about chronic pain from UTI's, like hypo, not being dealt with, more "moaning minnies" who should get on with life. I think it is really "unfortunate" that these 2 problems did not get a mention in the Health Strategy Paper.

I look forward to hearing how TUK can bring these matters to the attention of our so called Health Care professionals.

[arTistapple in reply to crimple]

crimple. It would seem, perhaps unsurprisingly (but I am surprised) that this enormously important paper has been read by so few of us or indeed commented on by forumites. It reads like so much government- ease but one gets the feeling that ultimately it will become a tick box systemised document. I get so teed off with this. I am exhausted and can hardly fend for myself. I hope this document helps women but I can’t see anything which will change stuff for people (women) suffering hypothyroidism. Thank you for contributing your comments to something I care terribly about. Especially if I had the stamina.

[crimple in reply to arTistapple]

arTistapple, I am no longer surprised, just permanently angry at total lack of action. As you say a tick box exercise and i am very surprised there hasn't been more comment on here/ A agree with your comments