About this episode

The episode discusses the renewed Women's Health Strategy in England, explores Elizabeth Arnott's novel about the impact of violent crime, and features comedian Susie McCabe reflecting on her health scare.

A renewed Women’s Health Strategy for England has been published today. The first Women’s Health Strategy came out in July 2022 under the Conservative government, with this ‘refresh’ being put forward as a ‘chance to travel further and faster’. However with over half a million women still waiting for gynaecological care in England and many women saying they don't feel listened to, why has there been so little progress? Nuala McGovern discusses the renewed strategy with the Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Author Elizabeth Arnott talks to Nuala about her novel, The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives, which investigates the impact of violent crime, not only on its victims, but also on the people closest to the criminals. The story follows Beverley, Elsie and Margot, who all discovered they were married to serial killers too late to save the women they murdered. Set in 1960s California, in an era where the understanding of the “serial killer” phenomenon was in its infancy, these women find themselves in a unique position to dig into the psychology of their husbands and band together, using their knowledge of dangerous men, to track down other violent predators. Scottish comedian Susie…

People in this episode

Host: Nuala McGovern

Guests: Wes Streeting, Elizabeth Arnott, Susie McCabe

Topics covered

• Women's Health Strategy
• Violent crime
• Psychology of criminals
• Comedy

Keywords

• gynaecological care
• serial killers
• California
• BBC comedy

Mentioned in this episode

Products: The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives

Books & works: The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives, The News Quiz, Breaking the News, Just a Minute, Best Behaviour

Places: England, California

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