{"id":35404,"date":"2022-05-28T09:59:09","date_gmt":"2022-05-28T08:59:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wames.org.uk\/cms-english\/?p=35404"},"modified":"2022-05-28T09:59:09","modified_gmt":"2022-05-28T08:59:09","slug":"womenshealthwales-report-highlights-gender-related-health-inequalities-for-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wames.org.uk\/cms-english\/womenshealthwales-report-highlights-gender-related-health-inequalities-for-me\/","title":{"rendered":"#WomensHealthWales Report highlights gender related health inequalities for ME"},"content":{"rendered":"

Women’s Health Wales Quality Statement calls for improved care for women with ME\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"On Saturday 28th May, International Day of Action for Women\u2019s Health<\/a><\/strong>, a report has been published by a coalition of charities and health organisations, which discusses how women in Wales have poorer health outcomes than men and urgent action is needed to ensure they receive equal care and treatment.<\/p>\n

For the past year WAMES have been working as part of the #WomensHealthWales Coalition<\/strong>,<\/a> made up of over 60 charities, patient representatives, clinicians, and professional bodies to draw up a plan to help end health inequalities experienced by women, girls, and those assigned female at birth.<\/p>\n

\n

ME affects more women than men, <\/strong>
\nin an approximate ratio of 4:1<\/strong>
\n(MERUK<\/a>)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Scottish Government has a plan, UK Government has consulted on a plan for England, and now, Welsh Government has committed to drafting a plan for Wales.<\/p>\n

Health inequalities are rife in Wales. Welsh Government\u2019s plan needs to be ambitious in its aims to end systemic sex and gender health inequalities in Wales and it needs to be co-produced by both Coalition members, patients, and public.<\/p>\n

What is the report about?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"The Women\u2019s Health Wales report is a collaborative, co-produced report that outlines 26 areas of healthcare where women, girls, and those assigned female at birth are disproportionately impacted. It includes a range of physical and mental health conditions and issues which might affect this population at different points in their lives and makes a series of recommendations we wish to see implemented to improve their health, lives, and wellbeing \u2013 both now and for future generations.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Recommendations for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

The Report outlines the key issues which lead to difficulties for patients in accessing appropriate services in Wales and gives recommendations for ways the Welsh Government can contribute to the improvement in ME\/CFS healthcare (p97-100):<\/span><\/p>\n

~ Implement NICE guidance, removing GET and CBT<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ensure healthcare professionals are following the updated NICE guidance\u00a0removing GET and CBT as treatments in rehabilitation clinics which include people with ME. Many patients with ME are also referred to the National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS), but the lack of expertise or monitoring constitutes unsafe practice and has historically proven harmful to those with confirmed ME.<\/p>\n

~All healthcare professionals should understand ME and PEM<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Develop cross-team understanding\u00a0of the nature and impact of people\u2019s illness and ensure they are aware of the specific characteristics of ME so to provide appropriate patient-centred care. This includes a better understanding of ME\u2019s main characteristic, which is post-exertional malaise.<\/p>\n

~Develop medical pathways with the help of all stakeholders<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Work with patient advocates, specialist groups, and clinicians to develop straightforward medical pathways for ME patients across Wales which should
\ninclude:<\/p>\n