By Debra Newrick, Over 55’s Health Discrimination Co-Ordinator

Chaired by Monira Chowdry (West of England Women’s Commission), this panel brought together health professionals, commissioners, councillors, and community leaders to discuss inequities in women’s health across Bristol and beyond. 

Prof. Nikki Cotterill (UWE / Bristol Health Partners) raised bladder and bowel continence care, highlighting a self-help app developed to democratise access to information for those not currently accessing services, and work to improve equity of access across communities.

Joanna Copping (Bristol City Council) outlined a gynaecology healthcare needs assessment underway to improve services, and stressed the introduction of post-birth contraception services in hospitals to support planned pregnancies.

Dr. Anju Chowdhary (Wellspring Surgery) emphasised that women often de-prioritise their own health, and spoke about the importance of encouraging women, particularly through perimenopause, to seek support.

Cllr. Carole Johnson (Bristol City Council) championed the need for more women, particularly women from Global Majority backgrounds, in decision-making roles, and called for evidence-based action to address structural barriers and racism within healthcare.

Siny Thankachan (North Bristol NHS Trust) described community outreach work to improve breast cancer screening uptake, particularly among Global Majority communities who were underrepresented in mammography attendance data.

Jean Smith (Nilaari Agency) spoke about the agency’s therapy and wellbeing services for racialised communities, and the importance of community research and culturally representative practitioners, with a particular focus on women of colour over 55.

The discussion illuminated a few key themes. 

Firstly, medical misogyny was a core topic. Panellists noted that women have historically been excluded from medical research; women were not required to be included until 1993, leading to underfunded and under-researched conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS. The importance of women being believed by clinicians, and the intersection of racism and sexism in healthcare, particularly in maternity services, were raised strongly.

Ageism and stereotyping were also highlighted by Bristol Women’s Voice’s 55+ group, who questioned how outdated attitudes toward older women could be challenged. Panellists pointed to the need for education within medical training and a cultural shift in how women’s ageing is perceived and treated.

GP training and menopause was raised as an area needing improvement. While menopause is included in GP training, it is not mandatory, and gaps remain. Positive steps noted included increased awareness nationally, new NHS health checks incorporating menopause questions, and ICB funding for GP upskilling.

Access to services was recognised as a growing concern, with attendees noting that navigating GP practices has become increasingly difficult, and that digital tools, while helpful for some, exclude older or less digitally confident women.

Youth engagement was also discussed as a priority, with panellists highlighting the value of including health education — including menstrual health and menopause — in school curricula for all youth, not just girls.

Closing Remarks 

Panellists were asked what good women’s health looks like. Responses centred on the freedom to speak openly about health without embarrassment; greater awareness and self-advocacy; a healthcare system that listens and acts; and women across all backgrounds being empowered throughout their life course. There was broad agreement that progress is being made, but not fast enough, and that translating conversation into action remains the critical next step.

The Women’s Commission noted plans for an autumn conference focused on medical misogyny. 

Are you a woman over 55? We want to hear your voice.

We invite all women aged 55 and over to take part in shaping our work around addressing older women’s health discrimination. Please complete our survey to ensure your experiences and insights inform meaningful change.

Survey link: Over 55’s Heath Discrimination – Your Voice – Collaboration