BLOG | PCOS Vitality (c)

The group researches the effects of hormones called androgens

Researchers at RCSI worked alongside PCOS Vitality to develop resources to raise awareness of PCOS among women.

“PCOS was traditionally considered a hormonal condition that affects fertility, but we now know it is a metabolic condition that has much wider health impacts, including a 3-fold risk of developing type 2 diabetes and an impact on mental health” Professor Michael O’Reilly, Consultant Endocrinologist at Beaumont Hospital and RCSI School of Medicine.

The group at RCSI researches the effects of hormones called androgens. This work is unique in Ireland and involved PCOS patients themselves in the design. Together we developed resources to help both PCOS patients and GPS, including

An online game www.pcos.focusgames.com

A brand-new website www.pcosglobal.com

A video was also made featuring 22-year-old Edel who has PCOS where she explains her journey to diagnosis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAyBUwVE_Pc

The video had almost 17k views on social media.

The group also organised a simulation-based learning event to help educate clinicians.

You can find our more about Health Research in Action at the following link

https://www.hrb.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/HRB-Health-Research-and-Action.pdf

It truly is exciting times for PCOS research in Ireland.

Now you see them, now you don't...Women's Health Hubs

Evidence shows women spend more years of their lives in ill health or disability compared to men. The “Women’s Health Strategy”[1] highlighted numerous issues with women’s health services in the UK including for example fragmented care and long gynaecology waiting lists. Women’s Health Hubs aimed to address these needs and some early feedback for established Hubs has been positive with women reporting caring and convenient services.[2]

Nonetheless, the present government has faced accusations of reneging on its commitments to implement Women's Health Hubs with their

“slimming down of targets for the NHS to focus on fixing “fundamentals”.[3]

Many have argued that women’s health is being side lined including the Royal College of Obstetrician’s and Gynaecologists who have released a statement in response to these changes citing,

“The apparent decision to abandon investments which have delivered benefits to women and the NHS is self-defeating” .[4]

In response, the government have hinted at the threat to Hubs as

“fake news” arguing that they are instructing the NHS to prioritise, to cut waiting lists for operations, A&E and ambulances.[3]

However, aren’t we forgetting something? Hub Models benefit more than women. Hubs will also benefit the NHS workforce by optimising the skills of teams, with the potential to improve working life and encourage better partnership between primary, community and secondary care. Not forgetting of course that overall success of Hubs will contribute to a more efficient & integrated health and care system. Moreover, Hubs align with the NHS Long Term Plan to help bring down the need for excessive amounts of outpatient appointments.[5] Cost benefit analysis suggests Hubs provide good value for money. This is because the benefits of hubs impact on a substantial proportion of the population, with opportunities to streamline the health service, and often with limited implementation and ongoing costs.[6]

If Hubs are financially practical, perhaps the government should question whether we can afford not to implement them.

References

[1] Department of Health, Women’s Health Strategy for England, Gov.Uk. (2022). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/womens-health-strategy-for-england/womens-health-strategy-for-england#priority-areas (accessed February 13, 2025).

[2] K. Daniel, J. Bousfield, L. Hocking, L. Jackson, B. Taylor, Women’s Health Hubs: a rapid mixed methods evaluation, Heal. Soc. Care Deliv. Res. 12 (2024) 1–138. https://doi.org/10.3310/JYFT5036.

[3] Women’s Health Strategy - Hansard - UK Parliament, (n.d.). https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025-01-30/debates/9B321E0F-DA4A-42F1-A0B3-4FE808F51E33/Women’SHealthStrategy (accessed February 13, 2025).

[4] RCOG responds to reports that central support for women’s health hubs will end | RCOG, (n.d.). https://www.rcog.org.uk/news/rcog-responds-to-reports-that-central-support-for-women-s-health-hubs-will-end/ (accessed February 13, 2025).

[5] NHS Long Term Plan, (n.d.). https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/ (accessed February 13, 2025).

[6] Women’s health hubs: cost benefit analysis - GOV.UK, (n.d.). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/womens-health-hubs-information-and-guidance/womens-health-hubs-cost-benefit-analysis (accessed February 13, 2025).

PCOS Vitality...
collectively healing ourselves.

Active research...Leading PCOS studies in Ireland

A glimpse into good Gynae care?..Women's Health Hubs

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