A TARGETED women’s health strategy is on target to be published by the end of the year – but no specific funding has been allocated and no business plan drawn up, ahead of the government spending plans being finalised this month.
Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell, who holds political responsibility for women’s health, said that any improvements would be “funded via existing budgets” which may “require changes to the way we deliver existing services”.
When questioned by Deputy Lyndsay Feltham during this week’s States sitting, Mrs Howell said that no business case had been put forward for funding for the women’s health strategy “as yet”.
The 2027 Budget is due to be published later this month, and debated before the end of the year.
Mrs Howell also confirmed that a timeline for publication of a dedicated women’s health strategy was in place, with the expectation it would be released before the end of the year.
Responding to Deputy Louise Doublet, Mrs Howell said: “We have not been just sitting idly by. We’ve improved quite a few things already within women’s health, and we will continue to do that because that’s my priority and I make a commitment to that.”
The goal to create a dedicated women’s health strategy had been part of government policy until April 2024 when it was dropped by Health Minister Tom Binet. However, following debate in December 2025, the policy was reinstated through amendments to last year’s Budget.
In May this year, a workshop organised by the Health Department, healthcare providers and service users was held where priorities for a women’s health strategy were discussed and identified.
Mrs Howell added: “It will be informed by the findings of the Women’s Health Jersey Strategic Needs Analysis, published in 2024, including the voices of women and girls who participated in this JSNA process and with further insight provided by healthcare professionals, women’s groups, and to the service users who participated in the strategy engagement event held in May 2026.”
