The Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College London St Mary’s Hospital Campus will work to drive system-level changes to close the gender health gap.
Bringing with her a raft of expertise spanning a 42-year career in women’s health with particular interest in miscarriage, period problems, gynaecological surgery and menopause, she will support the implementation of the upcoming women’s health strategy. The strategy aims to tackle the gender health gap and ensure services meet the needs of women throughout their life.
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- Managing polycystic ovary syndrome in primary care
- Contraceptive care and treatment for obese or overweight women
- Lower urinary tract infection in non-pregnant women under 65
‘Having spent my career working with and caring for women, it is a great honour to be appointed as Women’s Health Ambassador for the first government-led women’s health strategy in England,’ said Dame Lesley.
‘This is an important opportunity to get it right for women and girls, and make a real difference to 51% of our population by addressing the inequalities that exist across society.’
Bringing with her a wealth of contacts across the medical profession, including from her roles as honorary secretary of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the immediate past president (2016 to 2019) of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Dame Lesley will leverage her networks ensuring the scale of change needed, and the role clinicians need to play in tackling the gender health gap is understood.
‘The healthcare system needs to work for everyone, and I am committed to tacking inequalities which exist within it, particularly for women,’ said Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid.
‘Closing the gender health gap is critical for a fair health and care system in the future. I look forward to working closely with Dame Lesley on our shared mission to ensure all women feel listened to by the health and care system and are able to access the support and services they need.’