Health and social care secretary Victoria Atkins has delivered a speech at the Women's Health Summit setting out the priorities for the Women's Health Strategy 2024.

Atkins committed to expanding Women’s Health Hubs so that every Integrated Care System has at least one Hub up and running.

She announced the launch of the first ever Research Challenge, worth £50 million to tackle maternity disparities from the National Institute of Health and Care Research, the research arm of the Department for Health.

She said: "In my very first speech as Health and Social Care Secretary, I said I was an optimist.

"And I remain an optimist.

"I’m optimistic about Britain’s long-term future, I’m optimistic about our NHS, and I’m optimistic about what the Women’s Health Strategy can achieve in 2024.

"By working together, we can build an NHS that is faster, simpler, and fairer for women across the country.

"And build a future that is brighter for our children and grandchildren.

"I want to thank you all for helping us achieve this – thank you very much."