Merton Lib Dems Call for Walk-In Women’s Health Hubs

Merton Liberal Democrats are demanding action after years of Labour inaction on women’s health. Their “Her Health Matters” Strategy would deliver a full Women’s Health Needs Assessment and set up local Women’s Health Hubs. Merton lags behind the rest of London, with no breast screening centre, low endometriosis diagnosis rates and major gaps in menopause support.

Merton Liberal Democrats have called on Merton Council to implement a Women’s Health Strategy, after years of inaction from the Labour-run Council. 

The Liberal Democrats say the evidence shows that women in Merton have been overlooked for far too long. Endometriosis diagnosis locally is three times lower than the national average, strongly suggesting widespread under-diagnosis. Merton is also the only London borough without a dedicated breast screening centre, and nine in ten women report lacking the information they need to manage menopause symptoms. They have also raised concerns that the Council’s previous Local Health and Care Plan 2022–2024 did not mention the word “women” at all.

At last night’s Council meeting (Thursday 20th November 2025), the Liberal Democrats presented their women’s health Strategy, titled Her Health Matters. The Strategy would require the Council to undertake a Health Needs Assessment to explore how well the health and care needs that are unique to women are being met. It would focus on the health challenges that only, or disproportionately, affect women, including breast, ovarian and cervical cancer; endometriosis; menopause; pelvic floor and perinatal health; long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC); and other chronic gynaecological conditions. 

The Strategy would urge the Council to work with the NHS to introduce walk-in Women’s Health Hubs across Merton. Although the Department of Health and Social Care called for a national expansion of these hubs in 2022, Merton still has no walk-in hub, unlike neighbouring boroughs such as Bexley and Greenwich where women can self-refer without needing a GP appointment. Government analysis shows that every £1 invested in Women’s Health Hubs delivers £5 in benefits, improving access to care and reducing barriers to early diagnosis.

Disappointingly, at the council meeting last night, Labour voted these proposals down, but Liberal Democrats remain committed to fighting for a fairer future for women’s health in the borough.

Cllr Jenifer Gould, Deputy Leader of Merton Liberal Democrats and Health & Social Care Spokesperson said: 

“Women need clearly signposted, specialist services, but the current model in Merton is more maze and no map. It beggars belief that the Council’s current strategies barely mention women at all.” 

“Our plan for Merton would allow women to walk into a local clinic for an appointment with a women's specialist. This would help to reduce health inequalities and empower women to take control of their health, something which has historically been very difficult.” 

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Cllr Tony Reiss said: 

“Merton’s current health strategies fail to mention endometriosis, menopause, or other chronic gynaecological conditions that affect so many women. These symptoms are too often overlooked, dismissed, or met with ‘come back if it doesn’t get better’". 

“Our plan puts that right. It includes a full Health Needs Assessment to listen directly to women in Merton and to design specialist, local services that finally provide the support and treatment they deserve.” 

ENDS 

Further reading:

The Liberal Democrats’ motion is available in full here: LD Womens Health Strategy Motion

You can watch the meeting here