Healthwatch York has published a new report exploring the experiences of women living with long-term health conditions in York.
A service based on kindness and respect – The health experiences of women with long-term conditions in York shares women’s experiences of accessing healthcare and support, highlighting common themes across a range of different conditions.
The report builds on Healthwatch York’s 2025 report, Women’s health: stories of health experiences in York, which brought together experiences shared directly with Healthwatch York and through partner organisations about women’s contact with healthcare providers.
Following what they heard, Healthwatch York wanted to look more closely at the experiences of women living with long-term conditions – particularly conditions which disproportionately or specifically affect women.
These include:
- ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome)
- endometriosis
- osteoporosis
- PoTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
- PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
- fibromyalgia
- EDS (Ehlers-Danlos syndromes)
- and other long-term health conditions.
The new report brings together women’s experiences of living with these conditions and navigating healthcare and support in York. It identifies recurring themes in the care women received and provides an opportunity to learn directly from their experiences.