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Closed Provide funding to support Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening for Disabled Women

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We want the government to increase funding to ensure every facility is properly equipped to provide equal care. All women, regardless of disability, should be able to access cancer screenings without fear of exclusion, humiliation, or inadequate care.

Women with disabilities, particularly wheelchair users, can face significant barriers in accessing breast screening and smear tests due to a lack of accessible equipment in many medical facilities across the UK. I believe this violates the Equality Act 2010 and perpetuates health inequalities. A 2021 study found that 63% of disabled women had difficulty accessing routine screenings and another study showed almost two thirds of women with a physical disability had not been able to attend smear tests.

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  • Related activity

    Women’s health debate: Share your experiences

    On Thursday 27 December, Helena Dollimore MP will lead a debate in Parliament on women’s health.

    To inform the debate, she would like to hear about your insights and experiences of:

    • access to women’s health services
    • any areas where you think the NHS could improve support for women’s health.

    She may quote your contribution directly during her debate. 

    Find out more and share your experiences with her by midday on 26 February: 

    Women’s health

    Videos of the debate, the transcript of what was said, and other relevant material will be accessible shortly after the debate on this webpage. 

    Explainer

    Backbench Business debates give MPs an opportunity to debate a topic of their choice, and receive a response from the Government.

    They are a way to:

    • raise awareness of an issue
    • seek to influence government policy
    • put the views of backbench MPs, political parties, and the Government on record.

    They do not generally involve a vote on a particular action or decision.

    This debate will take place in Westminster Hall

    See our visual explainer on how debates in Westminster Hall work.

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    This petition will stay open until 20 July 2025.