Work from BU staff has been highlighted in the Government’s recently updated Women’s Health Strategy.
Academics in BU’s Centre for Midwifery and Women’s Health have made important contributions to the strategy which sets out how the Government intends to improve women’s healthcare over the next 10 years.
Action 20 of the plan states that the Government will work with the NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium (MDC) to improve pregnancy care for marginalised communities. BU became a founding member of the consortium in November 2024, bringing together experts in midwifery, social care and digital technologies at the university to lead research into innovative ways to reduce inequalities.
Vanora Hundley, Professor of Midwifery at BU is now Deputy Lead for Capacity Development at the NIHR MDC consortium.
The strategy also highlights the Government’s support for how NHS Dorset is helping women manage pelvic floor dysfunction prior to an appointment. This includes an app which BU researcher Dr Rosie Harper helped promote. The Squeezy app builds on research led by Dr Harper which found that humorous messages can help remove stigma about the condition and encourage women to follow pelvic floor exercises to prevent and manage symptoms.
Over the past three years, Professor Hundley and colleagues in the Centre for Midwifery and Women’s Health have engaged extensively with policy makers to help inform public health policy. This has included a visit by Professor Lesley Regan, Women’s Health Ambassador for England to a symposium on women’s health research. The team have also had meetings with Jessica Toale MP to help promote their work in Parliament, and presented their research findings at several conferences.
The centre’s third contribution to the strategy is their work with Dorset Women CIC and local health partners on the Dorset Women’s Health Programme Website, which is highlighted as an example of using how technology can be used to improve health literacy and benefit women’s health. Research from BU has been used in the development of the website which provides information and advice on a wide range of women’s health issues and how to find services in the local area.
Vanora and colleagues at BU have also spoken on the “Speaking of Women’s Health” podcast series with Dorset Women, which is also cited in the Government’s strategy.
Professor Hundley said, ““It's exciting to see our work recognised in the Government’s strategy. This reflects the dedication of our colleagues, students and partners who are working to improve health outcomes for women, particularly those in underserved communities.
“There is an overwhelming amount of information available online so it is more important than ever that we provide clear, evidence-based guidance that women can trust.
“By sharing knowledge from our research and working with our local community , we can help ensure that women are better informed and supported to make decisions about their health.”
Jessica Toale MP, Member of Parliament for Bournemouth West, said, "I'm delighted BU's Centre for Midwifery & Women's Health has been recognised for its leadership in the government's renewed women's health strategy. Their work is changing lives and advancing our collective understanding of women's health issues. I'm proud to support them and proud that this is a priority for the government.”
