A commitment to guarantee every woman access to a single-sex ward in hospital is at the centre of a package of policies announced by the Scottish Conservatives today (Saturday) to improve women’s health.
The proposals come on the day of a major rally outside the Scottish Parliament to mark the one-year anniversary of the “landmark” Supreme Court ruling, which reinforced that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.
Other key proposals from the party to improve women’s health include:
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Guaranteeing women access to a female GP or a women’s health specialist
- Launching a national awareness campaign on women’s health
- Enacting a women’s health charter
- Improving access to fertility services
Scottish Conservative deputy chairwoman and candidate for Strathkelvin and Bearsden Pam Gosal, who is today attending the Women Won’t Wheesht rally, said that women are often treated as second-class citizens when it comes to accessing healthcare.
She added it’s crucial for women’s safety and mental wellbeing that they have access to single-sex hospital wards and a female GP or women’s health specialist.
Scottish Conservative deputy chairwoman and candidate for Strathkelvin and Bearsden Pam Gosal said: “Under the SNP, women are often treated as second-class citizens when it comes to accessing healthcare.
“People are at their most vulnerable when they are in hospital, and the number of sexual assaults being reported on wards is terrifying and intolerable. Every woman should be guaranteed a single-sex ward, no ifs, or buts.
“Yet the SNP – supported by the other left-wing parties at Holyrood – shamefully put gender ideology ahead of women’s safety. The Nationalists are still shamefully refusing to implement the Supreme Court’s crystal-clear verdict and guarantee single-sex spaces for women and girls.
“That’s why, on the anniversary of the landmark ruling, the Scottish Conservatives have announced these common-sense yet transformational policies.
“As well as guaranteeing single-sex hospital wards, we would ensure every woman has access to a female health practitioner.
“Waiting times for conditions like endometriosis are far too long because women’s health concerns aren’t always taken seriously. That’s why we would launch a national awareness campaign on women’s health, enact a women’s health charter and improve access to fertility services.
“But, if the SNP get a majority at the Holyrood election, they will continue to ignore the Supreme Court’s ruling and put women’s rights and safety at risk. That’s why you need to vote for the Scottish Conservatives on your peach ballot.”
Notes:
Guaranteeing every woman access to a single-sex ward in hospital. In response to reports of hundreds of rapes and sexual assaults in hospitals across Scotland, we will follow the Supreme Court ruling and ensure every woman has access to a single-sex ward in hospitals. Staff will also be guaranteed access to single-sex changing rooms.
Guaranteeing access to a female GP or women’s health specialist. We would enshrine in law that every woman has the right to be seen by a female GP, as well as requiring that every GP practice has access to a women’s health specialist who is trained in women-specific issues.
Launching a national awareness campaign on women’s health. Targeted at women of all ages, this would provide advice and material to organisations such as schools, pharmacies, retirement homes, workplaces, and other locations to increase awareness of women’s health issues, how to prevent them, and when to seek help for them. Together with the Women’s Health Charter, this will improve women’s health across Scotland.
Improving access to fertility services. To help families who want to have children and address Scotland’s declining birth rate, we will work to expand access and provision to fertility and IVF services, ensure equality of access, and target resources at reducing waiting times for these services.