Half of women fear the NHS treats their health as a “second class issue”, damning survey reveals

Half of women believe National Health Service treats their health as a second-class issue, a survey has found.

About 22 percent of women strongly agreed with the sentencing verdict and 28 percent somewhat agreed, while only 20 percent disagreed.

The research also found that one in four female patients (23 per cent) had a negative experience with an NHS professional in the last two years alone.

One in five said their problems were not taken seriously, and many complained of feeling rejected or ignored.

And four in ten also say they have difficulty getting an appointment with a family doctor, and even when they are seen, only half (49 percent) say the care they receive is good.

A doctor talks to a patient in front of a laptop in a clinic. Survey of 2,000 British women revealed some interesting information

The findings come amid growing evidence of a gender divide in treatment that is also costing the economy.

Praful Nargund, co-founder of the charity Create Health Foundation, which commissioned the research from researchers JL Partners, said: “The NHS was founded with the mission to provide treatment for everyone.

“Today’s figures show that we are failing in this mission with women, who feel that the NHS treats them as second-class citizens.

“Women missing work due to conditions such as endometriosis and heavy periods cost the economy £11 billion a year.

“We are literally paying the price for making women suffer, for not adequately treating their conditions.”

He added: “We are at a crossroads. We can continue to neglect women's health or make the right decision to prioritize the health and dignity of 51 percent of the population.'

The survey of 2,000 British women found that although almost half (43 per cent) of those who tried NHS maternity services said they were treated very well, 16 per cent said they did not feel their baby was safe in the care of the NHS. NHS.

The survey also showed that the majority of women (62 percent) suffered from a gynecological illness, with almost one in three (30 percent) having to miss work.

NHS National Health Service sign pictured in London. The findings come amid growing evidence of a gender divide in treatment that is also costing the economy.

The survey found that although almost half (43 per cent) of those who tried NHS maternity services said they were looked after very well, 16 per cent said they did not feel their baby was safe in NHS care.

A woman shakes hands during an argument with two medical professionals. Last year women's health tsar Dame Lesley Regan admitted the NHS is 'failing women'

But more than one in ten (12 percent) say they have gone privately to get treatment, with the proportion rising to 19 percent among younger women.

Many blamed NHS waiting lists for their decision, with one in three having to dip into their savings to pay for care.

And a third of women said they had pain that affected their daily lives, but four in ten (42 per cent) said the NHS did not provide adequate pain management.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “It is unacceptable that so many women do not receive the gynecological and obstetric care they need.

'This Government is committed to giving priority to women's health, [and] will deliver the investment and reform needed to transform the NHS, including tackling waiting lists with 40,000 extra appointments a week.'

The previous Conservative administration set out a strategy for women's health after a series of shocking official exposures in maternity wards.

Last year, women's health tsar Dame Lesley Regan admitted that the NHS is “failing women”.

And recently, patient safety commissioner Henrietta Hughes warned that female patients are often dismissed as “difficult women”.

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