FSRH Statement: New SNP Leader and First Minister of Scotland
Date: 28 Mar 2023
Type: FSRH Press Releases and Statements
The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) works across the UK to improve healthcare for women and girls and congratulates Humza Yousaf on their recent appointment as new leader of the Scottish National Party - and First Minister of Scotland.
Dr Janet Barter, President of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) said:
“We recognise the excellent progress already made towards implementing Scotland’s ‘Women’s Health Plan: a plan for 2021-2024’ to improve women’s health inequalities by raising awareness, improving access to healthcare, and reducing inequalities in health outcomes.
“The recent appointment of Professor Anna Glasier as Scotland’s first Women’s Health Champion is a welcome additional step to achieving these aspirations.
“The ongoing work led by politicians to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those accessing and working in abortion services is also vital, and we strongly hope that you will continue to build on this.
“However, there are tangible threats to the provision of high quality women’s healthcare - particularly in terms of longer waiting times to access long acting reversible contraception (LARC) and increasingly stretched sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for abortion care.”
Dr Sinead Cook, Chair of the FSRH Scotland Committee said:
“We call upon the First Minister to continue the Scottish Government’s commitment to prioritise women’s health, and to ensure that sexual and reproductive health services are supported and resourced to benefit women and girls across Scotland. FSRH is happy to give our support, advice, and expertise in any way that we can.”
ENDS
Notes
For further information, please contact: Lorna Kelly, External Affairs Manager at lkelly@fsrh.org
About FSRH
The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) is the leader in the field of sexual and reproductive healthcare, and we are the voice for professionals working in this area. As a multi-disciplinary professional membership organisation, we set clinical guidance and standards, provide training and lifelong education, and champion safe and effective sexual and reproductive healthcare across the life course for all.