39
Rejected
We strongly disagree with the Minister’s argument that further ringfenced funding to support NHS Integrated...
Recommendation
We strongly disagree with the Minister’s argument that further ringfenced funding to support NHS Integrated Care Boards to maintain and develop women’s health hubs is unnecessary. The implementation of women’s health hubs is not complete. There are inconsistencies in provision, they do not cover all areas of the country and not all of those that have been established meet the core specification. Establishing hubs in some places, including more remote areas, has been more challenging because of their rural geography. Yet, where they have been successfully established, they have delivered a substantial improvement in women’s healthcare, providing local treatment, reducing the number of appointments women need to attend, reducing referrals to secondary care and increasing access to long- acting reversible contraception. (Conclusion, Paragraph 157)
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the call for additional ringfenced funding for women’s health hubs, arguing that ICBs are best placed to allocate resources and further ringfencing would limit flexibility. It notes existing investment and a renewed commitment to hubs in the refreshed Women's Health Strategy.
Government Response
Rejected
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The Government partially accepts recommendations 39, 40 and 41. The government recognises the significant role women’s health hubs play in improving access to holistic care for women across England and acknowledges the need for consistent and comprehensive provision across all areas of the country. The government has invested £25 million since the publication of the first Women’s Health Strategy in 2022, to support ICBs to establish and embed women’s health hubs. This investment has led to the establishment of women’s health hubs in all 42 ICB areas, significantly improving access to integrated women’s health care across the country. The refreshed Women’s Health Strategy will set out a renewed national commitment to women’s health hubs across England, building on the success of the initial investment. This will include a focus on extending the benefits of women’s health hubs to girls and women across the country, ensuring that all hubs meet the core specification and address inconsistencies in provision. However, the government does not accept the recommendation for additional ringfenced funding for women’s health hubs beyond the existing investment. ICBs are best placed to determine how to allocate their resources to meet the specific needs of their local populations, including for women’s health hubs. While the government remains committed to supporting women’s health hubs, it believes that continuing to ringfence funding would limit ICBs’ flexibility to respond to local priorities and achieve better integration of services. The government will continue to work with ICBs to support the successful establishment and embedding of women’s health hubs. This will include providing guidance, sharing best practices, and ensuring that women’s health hubs are integrated into operational planning processes. The renewed Women’s Health Strategy will also include increased accountability mechanisms to ensure that all hubs meet the core specification and deliver high-quality, integrated care.
Source
Committee
Women and Equalities Committee
Report
12th Report – Menstrual health of girls and young women
04 Mar 2026
HC 1265
Addressee Bodies
Government Equalities Office
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.4 yrs
Report published
04 Mar 2026