27 February 2025
Accelerating action in women’s healthcare – International Women’s Day 2025
Accelerating action in women’s healthcare
This International Women’s Day focuses on the theme ‘Accelerate Action’.
‘Accelerate Action’ emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality, including helping women and girls make informed decisions about their health.
We’re highlighting the ways charitable funding has helped improve healthcare experiences for women across our hospital and community. From enhancing comfort during treatment to creating more welcoming environments, these projects have made a real difference in patients’ lives. Thanks to generous donations, we’ve been able to fund initiatives that provide vital support, ease anxiety and encourage women to engage with essential health services.
Here’s a look at some of the projects that have helped us care for women when they need it most:
The Care for You project
The Care for You project provides essential care packs to female patients during their hospital stay. Each pack includes oral hygiene products, hair and body care items, sanitary products and discreet domestic violence support information. These small but meaningful comforts help women feel supported, cared for and more at ease during their recovery. With a goal of reaching one patient per day throughout winter, this project ensures that no woman has to go without the basic essentials she deserves.
Tackling period poverty at Princess Anne Hospital
No woman should have to worry about accessing essential hygiene products during a hospital visit. With charitable funding, free sanitary products are now available at Princess Anne Hospital, ensuring that women are never caught off guard by an unexpected period.
Lack of access to period products can be a source of stress and discomfort, particularly for patients facing unexpected hospital stays or those who may already be in vulnerable situations. By supplying free sanitary products in key areas of the hospital, we are helping to maintain dignity, ease anxiety and ensure that all women feel supported throughout their care. This simple yet vital initiative removes a potential barrier to accessing healthcare, allowing patients to focus on their wellbeing.
Pioneering research for women’s health
Charitable funding has supported two ground-breaking research projects. One led by Professor Brigitte Vollmer and one by Professor Ramsey Cutress, both helping to improve outcomes for women at every stage of life.
Professor Vollmer’s research focuses on neonatal brain development, particularly in babies born prematurely. Her work uses advanced imaging techniques to study how early-life experiences affect brain growth, helping to shape better interventions and long-term care strategies for preterm infants.
Meanwhile, Professor Ramsey Cutress leads the CANDO-3 study, investigating how body composition influences chemotherapy side effects in early breast cancer patients. Recognising that standard chemotherapy dosing based on height and weight may not suit all body types, this research examines whether variations in muscle and fat affect treatment tolerance. The study aims to optimise chemotherapy dosing and reduce adverse effects, potentially improving outcomes for women with early-stage breast cancer.
Help us accelerate action in women’s healthcare
By funding projects that enhance care, improve experiences and drive vital research, we are making a real difference in women’s health both now and in the future.
With your support, we can continue to fund initiatives that provide comfort and life-changing treatment for women when they need it most. Every donation helps us make a greater impact—thank you for being part of this change.