In a recent debate on women’s health, Senedd member Delyth Jewell emphasized the negative impact of normalising women’s pain in healthcare, stating that it is “costing lives.” Jewell highlighted the issue of women being deterred from seeking healthcare due to the acceptance of their physical and emotional pain as normal. She argued that women should not have to endure pain in procedures like smear tests, coil fittings, and hysteroscopies, calling for legal obligations to address women’s health concerns.
Jewell also brought attention to the normalization of period pain, which she described as detrimental to girls’ perceptions of pain from a young age. She expressed concern about the grim statistics regarding gynaecological cancers, attributing delays in diagnosis to women feeling their symptoms may not be believed. Jewell urged the Welsh Government to strengthen healthcare expectations for women by gathering patient feedback, particularly in areas like gynaecology and mental health services.
During the debate, Labour’s Carolyn Thomas highlighted the societal expectation for women to endure discomfort and pain, mentioning Claire’s campaign, which aims to challenge this norm within the health service. Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams emphasized the need for improved menopause services and education to combat existing taboos. Conservative MS Natasha Asghar raised concerns about delays in breast cancer treatments and their impact on mental health. The debate culminated in the approval of a non-binding motion on October 2, calling for increased focus on women’s health issues.
Moving forward, the Welsh Government has affirmed its commitment to prioritizing women’s health, with the mental health minister announcing plans to present a comprehensive women’s health plan by December 10. While acknowledging the importance of addressing women’s pain and supporting the principles behind the motion, the minister disagreed with the necessity for legislative change. Overall, the unanimous agreement on the motion signals a collective effort to address the normalization of women’s pain in healthcare and improve women’s health outcomes in Wales.