Recent data has highlighted a sharp rise in the number of women waiting for gynaecology appointments in Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes, a troubling trend seen across the UK. A report from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has revealed that more than 750,000 patients are currently on the waiting list for treatment of serious conditions, further underscoring what experts are calling a gynaecology care crisis.
The waiting list across England has more than doubled since September 2019, growing from 990 per 100,000 people to 2,105 per 100,000 this year. In the NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board area, the figure reached 2,855 patients per 100,000 people, the highest it has been since records began in 2018. This represents a significant increase over the past five years.
To understand the impact of this crisis, the RCOG surveyed more than 2,000 women and over 300 healthcare professionals. The results were stark, with 76% of women reporting a deterioration in their mental health and 69% saying they were unable to engage in daily activities, including work, due to the wait. These delays are affecting not only the physical health of those waiting for care but also their overall well-being.
Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the RCOG, expressed grave concern, stating that too many women are enduring long waits for treatment of conditions that can have a devastating effect on their lives. She also highlighted the distress NHS staff are feeling as they lack the necessary resources to provide adequate care, affecting their own mental health. Dr Thakar called for long-term, sustained funding from the UK governments to address the root causes of the waiting lists and for immediate support for those already waiting for treatment.
In addition to the impact on patients, over 90% of primary care professionals reported that the extended waiting times for hospital gynaecology services are severely affecting general practice surgeries. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, acknowledged the crucial role GPs play but stressed that their ability to provide care is limited without the necessary hospital services.
In response, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson assured that the government is working to reduce waiting times for gynaecology treatment. They pointed to the 10 Year Health Plan, which includes a £22.6 billion increase in day-to-day health spending, as a key part of the effort to address the crisis and ensure women receive the support they need in a timely manner.
The situation highlights a pressing need for systemic change to ensure women’s health services are adequately supported, so that those waiting for care can receive the attention and treatment they deserve.
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