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Women Ignored: Half of Patients Feel Dismissed by Medics
8 Mar
Summary
- Half of female patients reported feeling dismissed or ignored by medical professionals.
- A Mumsnet survey highlights structural sexism deeply embedded within healthcare.
- The Health Secretary admitted 'medical misogyny' has let women down for too long.
A recent Mumsnet survey indicates that a significant portion of female patients, precisely half, feel their medical concerns have been dismissed or ignored due to their gender. This highlights 'medical misogyny' within healthcare, a problem acknowledged by Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
The extensive report, drawing on Mumsnet data from 2015 to 2025, found "structural and deeply embedded" sexism. Many women shared experiences of pain minimization, delayed treatment, and disbelief from medical professionals, with some suffering severe health consequences.
In response to these findings, Streeting announced plans to drive change through increased funding, improved menopause support, community-based health services, and the introduction of Martha's Rule for second opinions. He emphasized that medical misogyny has no place in the NHS and pledged to tackle the issue.
Mumsnet is advocating for mandatory training on sex-specific bias for health professionals, an end to the normalization of women's pain, and the establishment of women's health hubs across England. The organization stressed that acknowledgment of the problem must be followed by reform to prevent further harm and erosion of trust.
