BLACK AND minority ethnic women have been urged to respond to the government’s call for evidence to help inform the first-ever women’s health strategy.

The initiative has already seen a huge response from those living in the Midlands and East of England and over the age of 50 with over 50,000 women, organisations, clinicians and carers responding so far.

However, early analysis shows women from the Midlands and East of England, those from Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and over-50s are under-represented in sharing their experiences.

However, this representation is necessary to ensure the strategy works for all women.

Therefore, the call for evidence will be now extended by 2 weeks and is expected to close on 13 June.

Some of the core themes included in the evidence are how the health and care system engages with and listens to women at the individual level as well as at the system level.

Ensuring that women having access to high-quality information when they need to make a decision, increasing health literacy, as well as increasing awareness and understanding of women’s health conditions among clinicians.

Speaking on the new strategy, Minister for Women’s Health Nadine Dorries said: “For generations, women have been living in a health and care system primarily designed by men, for men.

The number of responses to date has been incredible and I thank everyone who has shared their experiences – these interim findings clearly highlight the need for decisive action.

“I urge every woman, if they have not yet, to come forward and respond to the call for evidence. It is only by hearing the experiences and priorities of women from all walks of life that we can truly develop a strategy that works for all women.

“The call for evidence has been designed to be user friendly, quick to fill in and easily accessible from people’s mobiles. People who live with and care for women, organisations with experience of providing services for women and those with an expertise in women’s health are also encouraged to share their views.”