Women living well longer in North Yorkshire
The women living well longer programme, run by the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, is a new project aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of women locally.
Central to improving women's health is introducing health hubs, including one in Whitby, North Yorkshire. These hubs offer services like menopause care and long acting reversible contraception. They also train clinicians to provide specialised support in primary care networks.
Primary care networks are GP practices working together with community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital and voluntary services in their local areas.
This new initiative reflects a growing commitment to address the unique health needs of women and improve accessibility to care.
A meeting is taking place in December 2024 to discuss the roll out. We will keep you posted on the locations and when they will open.
Women’s health survey
One key aspect of this programme is the North Yorkshire women’s health survey, designed by North Yorkshire Council with help from the NHS and women locally to gather feedback from women and girls about their health priorities and challenges.
The survey includes questions on physical health, mental health, social wellbeing, and environmental factors.
Insights from the survey will help shape a comprehensive health plan tailored to the county’s needs.
How to take part in the survey
The survey is confidential and can be completed online or at local libraries.
Complete the women's health survey
You can also pick up and return a paper copy of the health survey at libraries across North Yorkshire. Request a copy of this survey from your local library.
Closing date: Sunday 15 December 2024 at 11:59pm.
Women's health in North Yorkshire: Challenges and statistics
North Yorkshire, home to over 618,000 people, faces unique health challenges due to its rural and urban diversity. Statistics reveal that women in the UK often live longer than men but experience higher rates of chronic illnesses in later years. Additionally, Yorkshire and Humber report some of the highest obesity rates in England, which disproportionately impact women.
At last count, there were over 315,100 women in North Yorkshire.
Addressing these challenges requires targeted interventions. For instance, menopause care, mental health support, and strategies to reduce obesity are critical focus areas for the region. Initiatives like the Women’s Health Hubs help address these issues by offering tailored support close to home.
Key challenges facing women
- Significant demand for menopause care; not all GPs feel they have the skills to offer excellent menopause care
- Patchy access to contraception; confusion among women about the provision on offer
- Belief among sexual health and providers of long-acting reversible contraception that commissioning is overly complex and complicates access for women.
Why women's health matters
Improving women’s health not only enhances individual outcomes but also benefits entire communities.
The women living well longer programme recognises that investing in women’s healthcare leads to wider improvements.
"Prioritising women’s health is crucial for reducing inequalities and improving family and societal health outcomes."
Helping women locally
Women can support the programme by participating in the women’s health survey and taking the help and resources on offer at women’s health hubs.
By sharing their experiences and needs, women in North Yorkshire can directly influence future health strategies. For more information, visit the North Yorkshire Council women’s health webpage or explore the latest health statistics here
Together, we can ensure that women across North Yorkshire live as well as they can and thrive longer.
