Retired academic lawyer, formerly Head of School of Law at BCU, proud mother and grandmother. Victim / survivor of O&G violence
West Midlands
Joined October 2012
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Credit: Healthy Living Talks
From an American organisation. What is said here is universal ⬇️
I’ve recently been informed by my GP practice that the company which provides their online services has gone into administration so the system whereby the patient completes a form which is triaged and then they are contacted with an appt can’t now be used…
And so soon…
Valerie (Val) Humphreys retweeted
I’m glad it wasn’t just some of us on this platform who thought it was, well, ludicrous tbh. There are far too few women in surgery as it is, and it’s been established that on average they achieve better outcomes for patients than male surgeons. The optics on this were very poor
I am happy to strike on these dates if it would help
Consultants don’t want to strike, but after 18 months without formal negotiations, they cannot wait any longer.
These strikes are planned to take place on 25 and 26 November, with Christmas Day levels of cover provided. There is still time for the Government to make progress.
ALT Graphic with an orange gradient background and a silhouette crowd holding banners and placards at the bottom. Large white text reads: “Consultants confirm strike action”. A banner at the top says “Consultants in England”. A white box displays the dates “25 & 26 November”. At the bottom is an orange button reading “Find out why” with a white arrow icon.
ALT Graphic with an orange gradient background and a silhouette crowd holding banners and placards along the bottom. At the top, a banner reads “Consultants in England”. Large text states: “18 months in dispute. Still no formal negotiations.” A white text box below reads: “Consultants are taking industrial action after repeated calls for formal negotiations have failed to produce progress.” A white circular arrow icon appears in the bottom right corner.
ALT Graphic with an orange gradient background and a silhouette crowd holding banners and placards along the bottom. A banner at the top reads “Consultants in England”. Large text states: “Christmas Day levels of cover will continue during the industrial action.” A white text box below reads: “Our mandate must now lead to a credible offer that addresses the dispute.” The BMA logo appears at the bottom centre.
And the eye-watering cost of this…
🚨 Breaking: After a three year battle, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has finally changed its policy on single-sex spaces for staff to bring it in line with the law.
It is amazing how simple it is! Now all NHS Trusts must urgently follow suit.
Bethany Hutchison, President of the Darlington Nursing Union and lead claimant in the case, said:
“This short sentence in a policy has taken women three years of fear, humiliation and extraordinary personal sacrifice to secure.
“We were nurses asking for the most basic protection: somewhere private and safe to undress at work, away from members of the opposite sex. Instead of listening, the Trust told us to compromise, broaden our mindset and be more inclusive. We were forced out of our own changing room, placed in inadequate facilities, threatened with disciplinary action and made to fear for our jobs and professional careers.
“Vulnerable colleagues were put under intolerable pressure. International nurses feared losing their visas. Women who had experienced domestic abuse were left distressed and afraid. Four of us were reported to our professional regulator simply for speaking publicly about what was happening.
“Throughout it all, the Trust defended a policy it had been warned was unlawful. Even after the Supreme Court clarified the law, it refused to change course. It took a full tribunal judgment, an apology, damages and an enormous bill before the Trust finally wrote biological reality into its policy.
“We welcome this change because it will protect women across the Trust, but it should never have required a three-year legal battle. No nurse should ever again be treated as we were for asking for dignity, privacy and safety.”
See more breaking in the Daily Express and with @CConcern and the Christian Legal Centre who have supported the nurses from the beginning.
express.co.uk/news/uk/226004…
christianconcern.com/ccpress…
Ooops - he may not be American but regardless of that it’s a good video!
An American video posted today, which has some useful advice and is worth sharing I think @HysteroscopyA @WombCancerInfo @WarriorsWo32390
Hysteroscopy Pain: Your Pain-Control Plan, Step by Step. youtu.be/oLxDNWHn1mM?is=caq7… via @YouTube
An American video posted today, which has some useful advice and is worth sharing I think @HysteroscopyA @WombCancerInfo @WarriorsWo32390
Hysteroscopy Pain: Your Pain-Control Plan, Step by Step. youtu.be/oLxDNWHn1mM?is=caq7… via @YouTube
An American video, but very useful advice and worth sharing I think @HysteroscopyA
Hysteroscopy Pain: Your Pain-Control Plan, Step by Step. youtu.be/oLxDNWHn1mM?is=QI_a… via @YouTube
What a mess.
“The ultimate penalty….is death. It is not torture, then death”
theguardian.com/us-news/2026…
Valerie (Val) Humphreys retweeted
In February 2025, @michaelpforan wrote this excellent piece on exactly this topic. I can no longer read it in full unfortunately, but anyone who wants to do so should be able to register to gain access.
thecritic.co.uk/patients-hav…
Valerie (Val) Humphreys retweeted
There should be consequence and a thorough investigation and actual change. We must hold them to account.
When I mention my male privilege some call me ‘woke’. I am happily so, slowly waking up to my many male privileges due to the wonderful women in my life…
I am happy to suggest several wonderful female colleagues who are world class in breast cancer care…
Valerie (Val) Humphreys retweeted
Following the Covid Inquiry's damning verdict on @MattHancock, we've launched a petition to remove him from the Privy Council.
His actions led to thousands of avoidable deaths.
This is a first symbolic step towards accountability.
Sign and share: c.org/RJtgMtQF2f
Words fail me (and that doesn’t happen very often) ⬇️
I know this pic has been posted by others already, but... what on earth @RCPhysicians ?! 😱
#NoMoreManels
#DiversityAndInclusion
Valerie (Val) Humphreys retweeted
I respectfully disagree. There is a misunderstanding that “violence” always involves intent, whereas it can ofc be caused by neglect, carelessness or even innocently. The important issue is how it is perceived by the victim/survivor, not whether the term offends the perpetrator.
Valerie (Val) Humphreys retweeted
It’s not the main point of the article but words matter and imo anything which makes a woman feel she has ‘failed’ should be outlawed in medicine - and that includes terminology such as “incompetent cervix” “blighted ovum” “failure to progress” and other such terms
Excellent news - and about time the NHS did the same
Japan will no longer use the term “abnormal delivery” to describe births involving medical procedures such as caesarean sections, following concerns that the wording could cause psychological distress to expectant parents.
japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/1…
Valerie (Val) Humphreys retweeted
Maybe the key Qs are:
-why do women feel the need to turn to social media for help and information?
-why is trust in O&G at such a low ebb?
-why are women dismissed as “anxious” (as you have done) by O&G practitioners?
-when is O&G going to take responsibility for its failings?
RCOG response to the NHS Alliance statement on safety in maternity care
rcog.org.uk/news/royal-colle…
Valerie (Val) Humphreys retweeted
The LAW requires this. It is not guidance randomly created to make life difficult for staff. It gives effect to the EA 2010 and, most importantly, is essential to keep women pts safe and to respect their privacy and dignity - and that imo, in healthcare, is long overdue.