Women encouraged to download new NHS health app
Monday, 20 January 2025
As Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2025 gets underway, women across Cheshire and Merseyside are being encouraged to download a new free NHS app to help them find trusted health information.
The Cheshire and Merseyside Women’s Health and Maternity App, launched by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, provides a convenient one-stop shop for trusted sources of women’s health information.
Data from the 2021 national Women’s Health Strategy for England found that 71% of people who were surveyed used Google as their main source of health information.
The Cheshire and Merseyside Women’s Health Strategy, launched in March 2024, is committed to improving access to health information and healthcare care services, helping young women and girls to make informed decisions about their health.
Developed with input from national and local clinicians and service users, the app contains advice and guidance on all aspects of female wellbeing, from periods and contraception, screening information, menopause to pelvic health, immunisations, and pregnancy.
The app provides information to women, all those born female and all those who may need to access Women’s Health services across their life course.
This week (20 to 26 January) marks Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, which promotes the importance of regular screenings.
There are around 2,700 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in England every year.
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme saves thousands of lives every year by checking for high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes nearly all cervical cancers.
Programme Director Catherine McClennan, who led on the project for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said:
“We know that the huge amount of information online can be overwhelming for a lot of women and that there is a lot of misinformation available.
“We wanted to provide a one-stop shop where trusted information and advice on all aspects of women’s health can be available whenever it’s needed so that women can feel empowered to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.”
Dr Fiona Lemmens, Deputy Medical Director of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside and Liverpool GP, said:
“This is a fantastic resource for women and girls which will help them to find up-to-date accurate information specific to women’s health all in one place, supporting them to manage their health and wellbeing and make positive health choices.”
The app can be downloaded via Google Play and the Apple App Store.