Government Pledge to Support Women with Poor Pelvic Health Falls Short: NHS Figures Expose Postcode Lottery

Women with poor pelvic health are facing a dire situation as new figures from a Freedom of Information request to the NHS reveal that they are being left without specialist support, despite a Government pledge. The data shows that only two-thirds of Integrated Care Boards in England have commissioned Specialist Perinatal Pelvic Health Services (PPHS) pilots, falling short of the promised nationwide implementation by April 2024.

The impact of this lack of support is significant, with a third of UK mums experiencing urinary incontinence and 60% of women reporting symptoms of poor pelvic health. A study by women’s health brand Elvie found that a quarter of UK mums did not engage in pelvic floor exercises in the six months postpartum, and only 11% followed the recommended daily kegel exercises.

Tania Boler, founder of Elvie, expressed concern over the situation, highlighting the serious consequences of poor pelvic health on women’s quality of life. She emphasized that the postcode lottery in accessing specialist services is leaving many women to suffer in silence, with little dialogue about pelvic health in public or private spheres.

The Government’s funding for this issue is also under scrutiny, as it provides only £18 per woman giving birth in England and Wales annually. In response, Boler and other advocates have penned an open letter to policymakers at Westminster, urging increased investment in treatment alternatives. The letter has garnered support from various women’s health advocates, CEOs of women’s health businesses, NHS workers, and even Olympic medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill.

The revelation of the lack of specialist support for women with poor pelvic health underscores the urgent need for action to address this critical issue and ensure that all women have access to the care and support they need.