Bridging the Gender Health Gap: Key Takeaways on Digital Innovation in Women’s Healthcare from HETT North

The discussion on women’s health equity at HETT North brought together leading experts to explore how digital innovation is shaping the future of women's healthcare. The panel, chaired by Karen Kirkham, Chief Medical Officer at Deloitte, featured insights from: 

• Claire Riley, Chief of Corporate Services & Women’s Health Lead, North East & North Cumbria ICB
• Misbah Mahmood, Deputy Chief Midwifery Information Officer, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
• Tulsi Patel, Director of Product, Hertility 

The session examined women’s health equity, the role of technology in maternity services, and how data-driven insights are transforming care for women across the UK. 

Defining and Addressing the Gender Health Gap 

Chairing the session, Karen Kirkham opened by defining health equity as the “fair and just opportunity for everyone to achieve their full health potential.” She emphasised that women’s health goes beyond clinical services, encompassing social, emotional, and physical determinants. 

Highlighting the importance of data-driven decision-making, she referenced a health equity report that identified four key aims: 

1. Understanding health equity – Many organisations still struggle to define what it means in practice. 
2. Breaking barriers to improvement – Reliable data is key to designing better interventions. 
3. Embedding equity into organisations – Ensuring digital inclusion and workforce training. 
4. Closing the health equity gap – Collaborating across sectors to improve outcomes. 

She stressed that technology, data, and digital transformation are vital in addressing these gaps and improving women's healthcare. 

Bringing Women’s Voices to the Forefront 

Claire Riley discussed how the North East & North Cumbria ICB is prioritising women’s voices in shaping healthcare services. She highlighted a major regional survey with 5,000 participants, aimed at understanding women’s health priorities. 

"Often, we look at data and service usage, but we don't always ask women what they actually want," she noted. 

This patient-first approach is helping the ICB design services that better reflect women’s needs, particularly in deprived communities. She pointed out that 26% of women in the region are economically inactive, affecting their health choices and life expectancy. 

Additionally, Health Watch partnerships and a women’s health strategy are guiding investments into women’s health hubs to provide specialised care and support. 

Technology in Maternity Care: Empowering Women with Data 

Misbah Mahmood shared how Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust use digital tools to address maternity inequalities. She described the implementation of an electronic patient record (EPR) for maternity services, enabling better data collection and standardisation. 

Key insights from their health inequalities dashboard: 

• 50% of women giving birth in Leeds are from deprived communities. 
• 10% of births involve gestational diabetes, with 20% of these women at risk of Type 2 diabetes postpartum. 
• The average reading age for patients is 9 years, raising concerns about accessibility of health information. 

To address these issues, the Trust introduced online maternity notes, remote monitoring, and public health education via digital platforms. 

"Women book their pregnancy at five or six weeks but don't see a midwife until nine weeks, so we use that time to provide digital health education," she explained. 

The remote monitoring system for blood pressure and glucose levels allows women to track their health in real-time and take early action. 

The Role of Digital Health Startups in Addressing Women's Health Needs 

Tulsi Patel from Hertility, a women's health technology company, highlighted the power of digital diagnostics in reproductive health. 

"Health shouldn't start at the point where something has gone wrong," she stated. 

Hertility’s online health assessment, taken by 500,000+ women, helps identify hormonal and reproductive health issues early, ensuring they receive the right care at the right time. 

Patel noted a generational shift towards proactive health management, driven by wearables and health apps. 

"It's cool to understand health now," she said, referencing decreasing alcohol consumption, better nutrition, and more focus on overall well-being among younger generations. 

However, she also warned about misinformation on social media, which can spread harmful health trends. 

"We need to meet women where they are on social platforms, but ensure that what we share is scientifically accurate," she added. 

Challenges of Digital Inclusion and Health Literacy 

Despite the promise of digital health, the panel highlighted barriers to access, particularly in deprived areas. 

To bridge the digital divide, Leeds NHS Trust partnered with Good Things Foundation to distribute free SIM cards to women without reliable internet access. 

"Some women couldn’t call a midwife because they had no phone credit, so they called an ambulance instead," Mahmood explained. 

These efforts ensure access to telehealth and emergency support, helping prevent poor maternal outcomes. 

Similarly, Patel emphasised user-friendly design to ensure digital health tools are accessible to all women. 

"Reducing clicks, making platforms visually accessible, and simplifying health data presentation are crucial for inclusion," she said. 

The Future of Women’s Health Tech in the NHS 

The panel concluded with a discussion on leveraging private sector innovation within the NHS. Claire Riley stressed the need for stronger partnerships with health innovation networks to integrate cutting-edge digital solutions. 

A key takeaway from the session was the potential of AI, big data, and digital tools to personalise and improve women’s healthcare. However, digital literacy, misinformation, and accessibility remain key challenges.  

The HETT North discussion highlighted how digital tools are reshaping women's healthcare, empowering women with knowledge and control over their own health. From remote monitoring to wearables and AI-driven diagnostics, technology is bridging gaps in access, equity, and early intervention. 

Yet, for digital health to be truly inclusive, the NHS, tech firms, and policymakers must work together to ensure accessibility, tackle misinformation, and harness data effectively. 

Join us at our upcoming event, HETT Show on 7-8th October at ExCeL London to be part of the conversation. Register your interest below.