Under consideration PE2218: Introduce mandatory women’s health training for all GPs and NHS healthcare professionals
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to introduce mandatory, standardised women’s health training for GPs and NHS healthcare professionals across Scotland.
Training must focus on conditions that disproportionately affect women, including menstrual, reproductive and hormonal conditions, chronic pain, and the psychological impact of long-term symptoms.
It should be evidence-based, regularly updated and regulated to ensure consistent, compassionate and informed care across all healthcare settings.
Background information
Our Change.org petition has 25,605 signatures and calls for Nicola's Law to End Medical Misogyny in Women's Healthcare.
Endometriosis and other chronic gynaecological conditions affect thousands of women in Scotland, yet diagnosis is often delayed for years.
Many women report feeling dismissed, disbelieved or told their symptoms are “normal”. Persistent unmanaged pain can severely impact education, employment, relationships and mental health. Research shows higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts among those living with chronic pain conditions. In January 2024, Nicola died by suicide after years of severe endometriosis and unrelieved pain. Her death highlights the urgent need to address gender bias in healthcare, improve professional training, and ensure women’s physical and psychological symptoms are recognised early and treated with compassion and expertise.
The actions proposed in the petition would support the Scottish Women's Health Plan Women's Health Plan which recognises that women experience health inequalities
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