A recent study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has revealed significant challenges in setting up Women’s Health Hubs across England. These hubs, designed to improve access to reproductive healthcare services such as contraception, menopause treatment, and menstrual care, remain scarce, with considerable variation in their operation and structure where they do exist.
The research, led by the NIHR-funded BRACE Centre at the University of Birmingham, was conducted between April 2022 and March 2023. It involved mapping and evaluating Women’s Health Hubs across the UK. Despite a national policy push to establish such hubs, the study identified only 17 active models. Researchers interviewed 142 women, healthcare staff, and policymakers to assess how these hubs were functioning.
Varied Models Pose Evaluation Challenges
One of the key findings of the study was the significant variation between the existing Women’s Health Hubs, which made it difficult to assess their overall effectiveness and impact. Although many women who used the hubs expressed positive feedback, the lack of standardized data hindered a comprehensive evaluation of their success, especially in addressing healthcare inequalities.
Dr. Louise Jackson, Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham and co-author of the study, noted that many of the hubs were still in their early stages, making it difficult to determine their long-term impact. “Many of the Hubs were still new, and it was hard to say definitively what impact they were having. We also found that Women’s Health Hubs have mostly been established by passionate leaders going the extra mile to improve care for women in their area,” she said.
A Grassroots Effort
According to the study, most of the Women’s Health Hubs had been spearheaded by dedicated individuals striving to improve healthcare services in their regions. These leaders faced numerous challenges, including securing funding, staffing the hubs, and integrating services such as general practices and hospitals into cohesive patient care pathways.
Dr. Beck Taylor, principal investigator and Clinical Associate Professor at Warwick Medical School, stressed the potential of these hubs while highlighting the hurdles they face. “Our study provides the first national overview of the Women’s Health Hubs, highlighting their potential and the hurdles ahead. As these hubs become a focal point of healthcare policy, it’s crucial to design them with women’s needs at the forefront,” Dr. Taylor explained.
Opportunities and Barriers
While Women’s Health Hubs are now a central objective of healthcare policy in England, significant barriers remain. The study identified issues such as the need for consistent data collection to assess outcomes, financial constraints, and the integration of IT systems with other local services.
Dr. Jennifer Bousfield, Senior Analyst at RAND Europe, emphasized the importance of ongoing data collection to support decision-making around expanding these hubs. “There is a large community of experts striving to improve women’s healthcare, with these hubs playing a part in efforts for transformation in women’s access to care. The gathering of consistent data to test assumptions, and measure and learn from the achievements of Women’s Health Hubs, including impacts on inequalities, will support decision-making around further scale-up,” she said.
Progress and Next Steps
Since the research was conducted, several recommendations from the report have already been implemented. These include an agreed-upon definition of what constitutes a Women’s Health Hub, ensuring clear communication, and the introduction of a standardized core specification for hubs, while still allowing for local adaptations. Additionally, efforts are underway to develop national guidelines to help overcome commissioning barriers, although these have yet to be published.
As England continues its efforts to expand access to women’s healthcare through these hubs, the study offers critical insights into both the progress made and the work still needed to ensure that all women can benefit from improved reproductive health services.