PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(15 May 2026)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether Integrated Care Boards will be required to demonstrate alignment with the renewed Women's Health Strategy in annual delivery plans; and what consequences will apply where they do not comply.

Asked by:
Jessica Toale (Labour)

The 10-Year Health Plan set out our ambition for high autonomy to be the norm across every part of the country. Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services that meet the healthcare needs of their local population and have the freedom to do so, including women’s health. The Government is backing ICBs to do this through record funding.

Whilst we have moved away from endless central targets through the planning guidance, we have been very clear with ICBs that we expect them to continue their prioritisation of women’s health services.

The Renewed Women’s Health Strategy commits to using insights from what women are saying to improve how services respond. With patient power payments, an innovative pilot approach that will focus on specific gynaecology services as a first step, patients will be contacted after care and given a say on whether the full payment for the costs of their care should be released to the providers. Prioritising specific gynaecology services will provide a new mechanism to ensure providers are responsive to women’s voices.

Answered by:
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