The report published from The Big Conversation women’s health project brings together the experiences and priorities of women across the North East and North Cumbria. Healthwatch Westmorland and Furness contributed to this work as part of the North East North Cumbria Healthwatch Network, on behalf of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB).
The project aimed to better understand women’s experiences of health and care services and use these insights to inform future improvements.
Key findings
The report identifies several important themes affecting women’s health, including:
-
Menstrual health
-
Fertility
-
Menopause
-
Mental health
-
Violence against women
Across the region, 61% of women said they feel confident discussing their health concerns with professionals, highlighting both strengths and areas where support could be improved.
Focus groups and survey
The research included a large online survey and six focus groups designed to reach seldom-heard women, including:
-
Women with learning disabilities
-
Unpaid carers
-
Women experiencing maternal mental health challenges
In Eden, we facilitated one of these focus groups to ensure local voices were represented. Together, this work contributed to a diverse and meaningful picture of women’s health experiences.
Recommendations for improving women’s health
The report sets out several recommendations to strengthen women’s health and wellbeing across the region, including:
-
Improving access to clear, reliable information
-
Creating more supportive and inclusive healthcare environments
-
Developing targeted interventions for specific health needs
These recommendations aim to shape a more responsive and equitable health system for women.
You can read the full Big Conversation report here.
How we’re using these insights locally
Healthwatch Westmorland and Furness remains committed to championing women’s health across Eden, Barrow, and South Lakes. The findings from The Big Conversation are helping us advocate for better services, improved communication, and greater recognition of women’s needs.
Following the regional project, we carried out the same survey with women and girls across South Cumbria and visited women’s groups in Barrow, South Lakes, and Eden to gather further feedback. The results of this local project will be published soon.