Millions of women with chronic health conditions ignored in election pledges

Chronic UTI, endometriosis and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes patient groups have criticised a lack of effort by the major political parties to engage sufferersMillions of women suffering from chronic health conditions say they have been ignored by the major political parties in a missed opportunity to bridge gender disparities in care.

Dr Clea Harman, CEO of baby loss charity Sands, said it was “good to see a focus on reducing inequalities and improving care” but added that parties need to offer more detailed plans for improving outcomes. Around half of all women have had a UTI and for around 30 per cent of those, the infection becomes recurrent or chronic.

Moreover, chronic UTI has not been officially defined as unique from recurrent and acute infections, and there are still no specific diagnostic and treatment guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence . “For the clinicians, it will be a relief because it means that we can move forward in providing care because we’re stuck – there are too many patients.

“However there are no details of how this will be done. We look forward to working with the next government to turn these pledges into a reality, with detailed plans needed to ensure those with endometriosis and menstrual health conditions can access care, waiting times are reduced, and inequalities tackled.”

EDS refers to a group of inherited conditions that affect connective tissue, according to the NHS, with symptoms including long-term pain, chronic fatigue, dizziness, palpitations and digestive disorders.The most common is thought to be hypermobile EDS , which could affect 1 in 500 people, according to research from Swansea and Cardiff universities published in 2019.

Currently, there is no NHS pathway for the condition – but a meeting was in the pipeline with the NHS, the Department for Health and Social Care and leading charity EDS UK to pilot multidisciplinary care pathways for patients.

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