Professor Dame Lesley Regan appointed as government’s first ever Women’s Health Ambassador
Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Trust consultant at St Mary’s Hospital, has been appointed as the government’s first ever Women’s Health Ambassador for England.
Through the ambassador role, Professor Regan will support the implementation of the government’s upcoming Women’s Health Strategy, which aims to tackle the gender health gap and ensure services meet the needs of women throughout their life.
She will continue her clinical practice at Imperial College Healthcare and as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College London, bringing expertise that spans a 42 year career in women’s health, with a particular interest in miscarriage, period problems, gynaecological surgery and menopause.
Alongside her academic and clinical roles, Professor Regan is also Honorary Secretary of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the Immediate Past President (2016-2019) of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). Professor Regan’s extensive experience will provide expertise and contacts to drive forward system level changes needed to close the gender health gap and eradicating deep seated biases.
Professor Dame Lesley Regan said:
“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.
“This is an important opportunity to get it right for women and girls, and make a real difference to 51 per cent of our population by addressing the inequalities that exist across society.
“I look forward to working with women, girls, health services, charities, policy makers, the Government and other key partners to implement this strategy.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:
“The healthcare system needs to work for everyone, and I am committed to tacking inequalities which exist within it, particularly for women.
“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.”
Minister for Women’s Health Maria Caulfield said:
“Since we launched our Women’s Health Call for Evidence over a year ago, we have made great progress in raising the profile of women’s health. From the formation of the UK wide menopause taskforce and publication of our Vision document, to legislating to ban hymenoplasty and virginity testing and appointing a chair of the HRT taskforce to help more menopausal women access this lifeline medication.
“The appointment of Dame Lesley as the Women’s Health Ambassador for England is yet another step in the right direction to giving women’s health the platform and profile it needs.
“We are embarking on an important journey to eradicate the gender health gap. There is no quick fix. But I look forward to working together with Dame Lesley as we take the next steps to implement our Women’s Health Strategy and beyond.”
