THOUSANDS OF LEICESTERSHIRE WOMEN DEMAND BETTER HEALTHCARE – BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO BE HEARD

More than 2,000 women and girls across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland have already spoken out about their healthcare experiences – from menopause to mental health, sexual health to access to care – in a landmark Healthwatch survey.  Now, with just weeks left before the deadline, Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire and Healthwatch Rutland are calling on even more women to step forward and help shape the future of women’s health and care services before the survey closes on 31 March 2026.

This powerful initiative – Every Woman’s Health Matters – is uncovering real stories that reveal what’s working, what’s failing, and where urgent improvements are needed – here in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Local media, schools, colleges and community groups are being urged to help amplify the call for responses and make sure no voice goes unheard.

“We’ve now heard from over 2,000 women and girls, which really shows how much this matters,” said Harsha Kotecha, Chair of Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire. “But we also know there are many more stories to share. Every response helps us better understand what’s working, what isn’t and how health and care services across our area can be improved.” 

“In Rutland, rurality can bring additional barriers to accessing women’s health services,” said Dr Janet Underwood, Chair of Healthwatch Rutland. “This survey gives women and girls a real opportunity to influence change and ensure services meet their needs.”

The anonymous survey takes around 10 minutes to complete. All findings will be shared with NHS and system leaders to highlight gaps, challenge inequalities and drive improvements in women’s health services.

With the survey closing on 31 March 2026, Healthwatch is encouraging women and girls aged 14+ who lives in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland to take part and share widely.

Survey summary

• Title: Every Woman’s Health Matters

• Audience: Women and girls aged 14+ across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

• Closes: 31 March 2026

• Topics include: Mental health, sexual health, access to care, women’s cancers, menopause, pregnancy loss, violence against women and girls, termination of pregnancy and healthy ageing.

• Main survey: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WomansHealthMatters 

• Topic-based surveys: www.healthwatchll.com/WomansHealthMatters 

• Focus groups and outreach: outreach@healthwatchll.com