Isle of Man Government – Professionals focus on women’s health campaign a success

Manx Care Centre hosted a ‘Focus on Women’s Health’ event last week, discussing a wide range of topics including menopause, mental health, frailty, breast services, sexual health, gynaecological conditions, fertility, motherhood and miscarriage, as well as the Manx Women’s Health Strategic Plan.

The conference welcomed a number of guest speakers including Kate Lancaster (Chief Executive of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Non-Executive Director of Manx Nursing), Professor Lesley Regan (Women’s Health Ambassador and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College London), Professor Marion Bain (Scottish Government Women’s Health Programme) and colleagues from across the Manx Nursing Service.

Linda Thompson, Clinical Nursing Group Manager, Integrated Women’s, Children’s and Families Care Group, commented:

“The content of this meeting has been developed based on recent feedback from women across the island through the Women’s Health Strategic Survey, which has indicated areas that the Isle of Man Care Centre needs to focus on when developing and improving services. I am delighted that we can all come together on Friday to make progress towards improving health outcomes for women on the island.”

Dame Lorimer MBE, Manx Ambassador for Women’s Health, introduced the first speaker and noted that the conference demonstrated the importance of having a service that listens, understands and hears women’s voices.

As the island develops its Women’s Health Strategy for the coming years, Professor Marion Bain updated attendees on the Scottish Women’s Health Plan, discussing their approach to improving women’s health and how the Isle of Man can align with it.

Other speakers included Professor Sir Leslie Regan (on women’s health challenges and the importance of innovation), Ms Michelle Mulroney (whose speech prioritised menopause as a key aspect of women’s health strategy) and Dr Ben Harman-Jones (on perinatal mental health and cross-service collaboration), among others.

Focus of the meeting included education, joint working and the importance of listening to patients/service users.

Linda Thompson continued:

“This is a great opportunity for professionals to come together, learn more about an area they may not be as familiar with, and begin to develop an effective women’s health strategy for the island. Thank you to everyone who attended the event!”