Opening one-stop women’s health clinics on evenings and weekends

One-stop women’s health clinics should be open at evenings and weekends across the UK to improve access to contraceptive, abortion, menopause and sexually transmitted infection services, says the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The move would make it more convenient for women by enabling them to have a cervical screening test and a contraception review at the same time, save money, and focus services to deliver preventive healthcare, the college said in its report Better for Women.

NHS England and its counterparts in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland should establish one-stop women’s health clinics in local community hubs and provide training on women’s health to support primary and community care, said the college.

“This will ensure a more joined-up approach to women’s health, diminish unnecessarily long referral times and ensure that women receive the best possible care by providing all of their healthcare needs in one location and at one time,” it added.

Lesley Regan, the college’s president, said: “It is time for a new and bold approach to transform women’s health services.”

A RCOG survey of 3,021 women aged between 18 and 65 reported that more than a third (34%) of respondents didn’t attend their last smear test and only half (50%) were able to access STI services.

Nearly four in 10 women (37%) were unable to access contraception services locally and 60% couldn’t access unplanned pregnancy services close to where they live.