Women in Northern Ireland urged to have their say on women's healthcare in new survey

Women across Northern Ireland have been encouraged to participate in a new survey which focuses on women's health and the challenges with women's healthcare.

The Women's Health Survey for Northern Ireland is the first phase of a public listening exercise with women across Northern Ireland and is being carried out by the School of Nursing & Midwifery at Queen's University, Belfast and Derry Well Women. 

This new initiative aims to hear directly from women about their own personal experiences and needs in healthcare in order to help shape future planning for women's health services.

Women aged 16 and over are asked to participate in the survey to ensure that their voices are heard and that the realities of women's health in Northern Ireland is accurately and fully represented.

The anonymous survey will collect data on a range of issues such as women's own health priorities, barriers to accessing health services and how women's voices are integrated into the planning and delivery of healthcare services.

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Commenting on the survey which is funded by the Department of Health, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: "It is very clear to me that women’s health issues must be given more focus, and this survey is a significant step along that journey. 

"This is a prime opportunity for women to tell us directly about the challenges and barriers you face when it comes to your health, and to have a say in how services can be shaped in Northern Ireland in the future to improve health and wellbeing."

The Health Minister urged: "I would encourage all women to take a few minutes to discuss, share and complete this survey over the coming months."

Karen Meehan, of Derry Well Women, said: "The launch of the listening exercise on women’s health is an important landmark on the road to improvement in women’s healthcare planning and provision in Northern Ireland."

Meehan assured that those driving the project "will make every effort to hear from as many women as possible on issues affecting their health and wellbeing."

Dr Jenny McNeill, Reader in Midwifery Research, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Queen's University, Belfast also commented on the initiative, saying: "The launch of the survey represents an incredible opportunity for all women in Northern Ireland to contribute and help us understand better the current service provision, expectations for their future health, and identify gaps to inform a future strategy for Women's Health in Northern Ireland.”

The survey only takes around 20 minutes to complete and can be accessed online or a paper copy can be accessed by contacting the research team at: womenshealthni@qub.ac.uk. 

The survey will close on Friday, 31 January 2025.