Health plan provider Simplyhealth has launched an option for women to select a women’s health-focused GP appointment online in a bid to tackle gender inequalities in healthcare and keep women in work.
Female employees can choose this option when they book an appointment online at no extra cost.
The provider said that women’s health is often viewed as only sexual and reproductive health, but there is evidence that women are affected by general health conditions disproportionately when compared to men.
Recent research from the World Economic Forum has shown that women spend a quarter more of their lives in debilitating health than men. They also continue to be underdiagnosed and undertreated for common conditions including cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in women.
Further research, published in The Lancet, found that women are also more likely to experience lower back pain, which is the most common reason for time off work in the UK. The same research showed that women are also more likely to experience depressive disorders and headaches.
More than four out of five women (84 percent) report that they are not listened to by healthcare professionals and that their symptoms not taken seriously or dismissed upon first contact with GPs, according to the government survey ‘Women’s Health – Let’s talk about it’.
Simplyhealth said it is “on a mission” to improve access to healthcare for all in the UK by offering low-cost health solutions for the most common everyday health issues.
The provider said that its new women’s health-focused services are designed to keep people well and prevent them dropping out of the workforce due to their symptoms.
A Simplyhealth study revealed that 23 percent of women have considered quitting work due to the impact of menopause or menstrual symptoms at work, and 14 percent are actively planning to quit.
Macarena Staudenmaier Keglevich, head of clinical product and operations at Simplyhealth, said: “The UK faces the largest female health gap in the G20 and the 12th largest globally, and it’s something we’re deeply committed to helping address.
“[Almost all] (96 percent) of women told us they’d prefer seeing a women’s health-focused GP for future concerns. This tells us we’re on the right track. By connecting women with more expert GPs faster, we’re helping them get the answers, care, and support they need without the long waits. This service is just one way we’re working to make healthcare more responsive, accessible and truly supportive for all our members.”
A Simplyhealth customer who used the service said: “I’ve had a bad experience previously with a GP trying to discuss menopause issues and ended up feeling like I’m the problem, (they suggested a referral to a psychiatrist rather than understanding what I was saying about perimenopause symptoms). The GP you provided was so much better. She listened, gave really good advice and this week I’ve spoken to my own GP off the back of her advice, had bloods taken and enroute to hopefully starting HRT. I really appreciate the information she gave me and the confidence to advocate for myself.”
Emma Southworth, GP and deputy medical director at HealthHero said: “We are proud to have developed a simple approach to improving care for women, by giving patients the option to consult with a GP with specific expertise in women’s health. Through this pathway, we aim to provide consultations that are as relevant and empathetic as possible within a normal GP appointment. It has been encouraging to see such positive feedback from patients, who report feeling heard and well cared for, through this new approach which brings to life HealthHero’s mission to simplify healthcare and improve lives.”
