The Government has recently published a refreshed women’s health strategy. While a strategy may not sound like immediate action, it is a pathway to addressing what many women and girls report: feeling unseen and unheard in the NHS.

Evidence shows women spend more of their lives in poor health than men. Pain and symptoms are too often dismissed, particularly around periods, sexual health, and even heart disease. We also need to do more to support women during pregnancy and postpartum through to menopause and beyond. Women have long called for change and deserve clarity over what that will look like in practice. It should mean shorter waits to see specialists, fewer painful procedures without proper consent or pain relief, and greater choice and control over healthcare.

As a member of the Health Select Committee I have consistently raised issues around women’s health including inequalities in maternity care, the handling of allegations of inappropriate behaviour by doctors, and workforce shortages in sexual health.

Last year the Government asked Baroness Amos to conduct a review of maternity and neonatal services across England. There have been several high-profile inquiries demonstrating that mothers and babies have been harmed by inadequate care. Her interim report was published in February, with the full report due soon.

A national Maternity Taskforce has been established to develop an action plan covering pre-pregnancy through to postnatal and bereavement support; and to hold the NHS to account for delivering real improvements for women, babies and families. Today it was announced that Michelle Welsh MP will act as the National Maternity Advisor to the Government. Drawing on her own experience of inadequate care while giving birth, she will be a strong advocate for women and improving maternity care.

I am proud to be part of a Labour government who are not just generally improving the NHS, with 65% of patients now being treated within 18 weeks, but also listening and getting to grips with deep inequalities affecting women. In the words of Michelle Welsh, “Listening to women is not optional, it is fundamental to safe care.”

I want to help build a fairer society, where women have the support and opportunities to make choices that are right for their health and lives. Whatever the drama in Westminster, I remain focused on what the people of Calder Valley sent me there to do. We are a Labour government, and we must make lives better.