Thought Leaders Series for Women’s Health

This event marked the beginning of a two-part series dedicated to addressing the health challenges women face in the workplace and how these impact their career progression and overall experience.  

Reflecting on the event’s importance, Nick Jeal of HCA Healthcare UK shared, "So excited to be involved in bringing more balance for women as they move through their career and how vital a supportive working environment is. Looking forward to some genuine changes which will shift the dial for future generations of women". 

Central to the series is a collaborative approach—identifying and co-designing practical solutions to address existing gaps in workplace policies and practices. Insights from this first session will be compiled in the Thought Leaders Digest and presented at the second event in the series, scheduled for the afternoon of June 5, 2025. Further details about the upcoming event will be shared in due course.  

Exploring women’s health and wellbeing across career stages 

The inaugural event brought together leading experts in healthcare and business to explore women’s health needs throughout different career stages—from early career through mid-career to late career and transition. Discussions centred on how workplace structures, policies, and cultures influence health outcomes and professional development. The ultimate goal of this work is to drive meaningful change through informed policy recommendations and improved workplace practices.  

Sharing her perspective on the event, Dr. Orlanda Allen of HCA Healthcare UK said, “It was an honour to help organise and support an event dedicated to getting real world views on women’s health. The room was full of passionate, dedicated individuals sharing ideas in order to move the dial to improve experiences and care for women”. Her words captured the collaborative spirit and momentum that defined the gathering, setting the tone for the work ahead.  

The project builds on the research of Dr. Marzena Nieroda, whose work on women’s health experiences—particularly regarding menopause—has been published in Maturitas, a leading journal on midlife health. Her research highlights systemic solutions that can support women, with workplaces identified as both a major challenge and an opportunity for change. 

“I’m passionate about knowledge sharing and addressing the research gaps that still exist at the intersection of healthcare and business,” Dr. Nieroda noted. “By grounding this project in evidence and open dialogue, we can start to shift outdated structures and create more supportive environments for women at every stage of their careers.” 

Key themes from the event 

The day was structured around three roundtable discussions, each introduced by expert presentations that provided critical insights into workplace health challenges and potential solutions: 

Exploring lifelong support needs

This session was introduced by Miss Sushma Srikrishna, Consultant Gynaecologist and Urogynaecologist at HCA Healthcare UK, with a talk titled Health Needs for Women Through Their Work Life. The discussion examined the health challenges women encounter at different career stages, including menstrual health, gynaecological conditions (such as PCOS and endometriosis), pregnancy-related issues, and menopause. Participants discussed the key barriers to engagement and progression, emphasizing the need for proactive workplace support. 

Developing strategic solutions 

Professor Nora Colton, Director of UCL GBSH and Professor of Leadership and Management for Healthcare, introduced this session with her talk on Leadership for Transformational Change in the Workplace. The discussion focused on identifying and co-designing workplace policies and strategies that can better support women’s health needs. Participants explored practical interventions, from flexible working arrangements to enhanced healthcare benefits, that could foster a more inclusive and supportive work environment. 

Implementing policies and practices 

This session was led by Dr. Jane Benjamin, GP and Occupational Health Physician at HCA Healthcare UK, who presented Empowering Women at Work. Participants then could think about a roadmap for integrating women’s health support into workplace practices. The session emphasized the role of leadership, HR, and key stakeholders in embedding meaningful change into organizational culture. 

Looking ahead 

The first event set the stage for actionable change, concluding with a vibrant networking session designed to foster ongoing collaboration. The findings will be captured in the Thought Leaders Digest and will form the foundation for the second event in the series, taking place on June 5, 2025. This follow-up gathering will delve deeper into the implementation of effective workplace solutions. 

Reflecting the energy in the room, Nicole Syms of HCA Healthcare UK shared, “It was so inspiring to be surrounded by incredible women who are passionate about how we can improve women’s health in the workplace. It really did feel like we were #acceleratingaction.” Her words encapsulated the collective drive and shared purpose that defined the day. 

Through this initiative, UCL GBSH and HCA Healthcare UK aim to create lasting, impactful change by ensuring women’s health is recognized and prioritized in workplace policies, leadership strategies, and organizational cultures. 

Stay tuned for further insights and the next steps in this critical conversation.