The Royal Borough of Greenwich is celebrating national success after the South East London Women’s and Girls’ Health Hubs won the Patient Involvement and Choice Award at the first-ever NHS Excellence Awards.
The award recognises the hubs’ innovative approach to make it easier for women and girls to access the care they need, with the council’s Public Health team leading the programme across Greenwich and Bexley alongside Oxleas NHS Trust, NHS South East London and Volunteer Centre Greenwich.
The community-based hubs provide joined-up care for women and girls aged 13 and over, bringing together GPs, nurses and specialist clinicians in one place. This means residents can receive support for more than one health concern during a single appointment, including contraception, heavy periods, menopause and pre-conception care.
The service was designed with local people from the very beginning. More than 1,400 women and girls from across south-east London helped shape the hubs, ensuring the services reflect their experiences and priorities.
Since launching in 2025, the hubs have supported more than 700 women and girls through 860 referrals. Waiting times are around four weeks, compared with 14 to 17 weeks through hospital gynaecology services.
Councillor Mariam Lolavar, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care and Communities, said:
“We’re delighted to see the Women’s and Girls’ Health Hubs recognised with this national award. It is a testament to the power of partnership working and to the dedication of our Public Health team, who have led this work across Greenwich and Bexley alongside our NHS and community sector partners and colleagues.
“The government’s new Women’s Health Strategy rightly recognises that, for too long, women’s health has not received the attention it deserves. Too many women and girls have had their symptoms dismissed, faced long waits for treatment, or struggled to access joined-up care. That’s exactly what these hubs are helping to change.
“Most importantly, this programme has been shaped by local women and girls themselves. By listening to their experiences, we’ve created services that are more accessible, more joined up and better able to meet people’s needs. This award is recognition of everyone who has contributed to making these hubs such a success, and of what’s possible when national ambition is backed by local action.”
Hayley Ormandy, Director of Prevention, Wellbeing, Equity and Long-Term Conditions at NHS South East London, said:
“We know there is a gender health gap in the UK – too often, women and girls feel their concerns are dismissed. That’s why we were determined to do things differently through our Women’s and Girls’ Health Hubs. From the outset, we’ve placed the voices of local women and girls at the heart of this work, listening to what matters to them and designing services around their needs.”
“I’m immensely proud of our team’s work with partners, and delighted we have received the Patient Involvement and Choice Award. I would like to thank the women and girls in south east London for shaping and informing our hub model – it’s these voices that are helping to close the gap on unfair and avoidable differences in health access, experience and outcomes.”
The award recognises the impact the hubs have had in improving access to women’s healthcare and reducing waiting times, while ensuring services are designed around the needs of local communities.
C, a local resident and Women and Girls Health Hub Ambassador said:
“As a woman born and raised in the borough, I have experienced first-hand the confusion in navigating the NHS. I have met lots of women that either are embarrassed or do not understand where to go for specific issues. My goal both personally and career-wise is to make a positive difference in my community, so through this role I hope I can help someone to live a healthier life.”
The programme has secured funding for 2026/27 and will continue to build on its success, with an independent evaluation examining access, outcomes and value for money.
To find out more about the Women’s and Girls’ Health Hubs, visit the NHS South East London website.