Turning point for women’s health
Published: Tuesday, October 09, 2018
The National Women’s Council of Ireland has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, that funding will be made available for the development of a Women’s Health Action Plan in 2019
Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI said,
“We welcome the commitment to make a Women’s Health Action Plan a reality for women in 2019. The action plan is essential in the renewed drive to improve women’s experience of healthcare in Ireland.
We hope that today’s funding represents a turning point for women’s health in Ireland. The last decade saw the hollowing out of the structures for women’s health, from the dissolution of the Department of Health’s Women’s Health Council, to the disappearance of the network of women’s health officers in the HSE. This gap was called out in the Scally Report into CervicalCheck, which recommended giving ‘consistent, expert and committed attention within the health system’ to women’s health.
Orla O’Connor continued:
‘Today’s funding – combined with future year-on-year funding for implementation – is essential to accelerate the initial work NWCI has undertaken with the Department of Health and HSE to develop the Women’s Health Action Plan. With funding now secured we can work to engage with women across the country to ensure the women’s health action plan meets their needs.”
HPV vaccine
Orla O’Connor said,
“We welcome the announcement that the HPV vaccine will be extended to boys. This is a critical step as part of the response to the cervical check scandal and will help to eradicate HPV related cancers.”
Abortion care services
Orla O’Connor commented,
“The announced funding for the delivery of abortion services following the resounding Yes vote in the referendum to repeal the 8th amendment will be crucial to ensure access to abortion care to women, girls and anyone who requires access in Ireland.”
Ends/
For more information, please contact Silke Paasche, Head of Communications, Tel. 085 858 9104, silkep@nwci.ie