When I speak to women in my constituency, they often tell me that they do not feel listened to or taken seriously when they raise concerns about their health. They can see the government has not properly invested in the services that they need – maternity, sexual health, gynaecology, mental health, menopause, hormone therapy, menstrual advice and many more. They are right to say that after 14 years of Tory mismanagement and austerity, the NHS is on its knees. In particularly, the last four years have been immensely challenging. First Covid-19 and then the cost-of-living crisis. Thanks to the Conservatives, women have paid the price for both.

The Mental Health Foundation highlights how women are twice as likely to experience anxiety. One in four women will experience depression, compared to one in ten men. And we know that austerity has disproportionately impacted women and children. This is why I wanted my next In Conversation session to focus on mental health and women’s health. I am grateful to have been joined by Councillor Peray Ahmet, Leader of Haringey Council, Abena Oppong-Asare MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Women’s Health and Mental Health and Ruth Glover, Director of Open Door Haringey and Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist.

First, Councillor Peray talked about the desperate need to fund adult social care and the difficult decisions that all councils are having to make to keep essential services going. Up and down the country, councils are declaring bankruptcy, another example of what 14 years of austerity has led up to. She also explained that many vulnerable and elderly residents struggle with the digitalisation of their healthcare – whether that is having to call your GP practice early in the morning or downloading a digital app to see your test results. I have previously campaigned on our increasing cashless society, and I truly believe that with technological advancement, we must ensure there is inclusion and access for everyone.

Abena highlighted government failure to acknowledge the decades of systemic gender health inequality. In July 2022, the Government published its Women’s Health Strategy for England policy paper. But once again, ministers love to talk the talk. It’s disappointing that the strategy did not include necessary funding, infrastructure, or staff that the NHS needs to tackle this issue. You can read my full thoughts on the strategy and its shortcomings here. Abena also talked about women’s mental health, especially during pregnancy and after childbirth. A Labour Government will build an NHS fit for the future to support women with their health and wellbeing. This includes cutting gynaecology waiting lists to delivering better access to mental health support. And we will incentivise continuity of care in maternity services to reverse the shameful increase in women dying in childbirth – and set a target to close the shocking gap that leaves Black women four times more likely to die while giving birth.

It is also worth noting that there remains some taboo on women’s issues, as Abena pointed out. This includes menstrual periods and menopause in the workplace. So, I believe the government needs to work with employers to ensure there is no discrimination against women. My Labour colleague, Carolyn Harris MP, spent years campaigning on menopause services and in 2021, she tried to pass her Menopause (Support Services) Bill in 2021, but this was rejected by the Tories. Although the government finally capped the cost of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) last year, they wasted years arguing about this and refusing to work with opposition parties. Although the price is capped, there are shortages in pharmacies meaning that menopausal women still face barriers to getting the healthcare they need. Under a Labour Government, employers will be required to produce action plans to support the wellbeing of staff going through the menopause. We want to work with businesses and trade unions to bring about practical solutions like this to improve productivity, keep more people in work and ultimately grow our economy for all.

Finally, Ruth delivered a personal message about her experience as a frontline mental health professional. Her amazing organisation, Open Doors, is helping so many young people in our community. But it’s not right that charities and the third sector do the work of the government. In my constituency, I speak to many heartbroken parents whose children are really struggling with their mental health. They are spending years on waiting lists for therapy and sadly, many are hospitalised during this wait, can no longer go to school, and become more and more isolated. This is the reality of mental health services under this Conservative government. I believe there is no more important indicator of the state of a country than the wellbeing of its children. The future is our children and today they are suffering.

When the Government is deeply divided and is already plotting to remove its fifth Prime Minister in seven years, long term planning goes out of the window. The Tories are not governing – they are going from crisis to crisis. That’s why we need a General Election and a Labour Government. The next Labour Government will prioritise a truly preventative plan for mental health services. We will recruit 8,500 additional mental health staff to drive down waiting lists, funded through closing tax loopholes. We will make sure every young person will have access to a specialist mental health professional at school. With Labour’s Young Futures plan, every community will have an open access mental health hub for young people (11-24), providing early intervention through drop-in services.

I would like to thank everyone who attended my In Conversation session. It was a very moving and sensitive conversation, but I believe it shows exactly why we need a change in this country. Communities up and down the UK have been totally left behind and forgotten by this Conservative Government. After 14 years, growth is down and mortgages, prices, taxes, and debt are all up. Public services are struggling, and people are sicker for longer.

My next In Conversation session will take place very soon, so do keep an eye on my website and social media for details and to buy tickets.