In the UK, over 750,000 people are on the waiting list for gynaecological services, marking it as the fastest-growing demand among elective specialities. The waiting list in England has more than doubled since before the pandemic, with nearly half of the patients waiting longer than the NHS’s 18-week target, and almost 30,000 waiting over a year. Patients report suffering from symptoms like heavy periods, chronic pain, and incontinence.
These concerning statistics come from research by the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG), which urges the Government to address this crisis urgently. Emily, 30, from Edinburgh, exemplifies the impact of these delays. She has dealt with extremely heavy periods since she was 11, and despite being on the pill for years, her condition worsened in her 20s. After a long wait, she was finally diagnosed with endometriosis in 2023, four years after her initial referral.
Emily’s case highlights the distressing delays and their impact. She waited nearly four years for surgery and is still awaiting a post-operation consultation a year later. Her condition affects her daily life, work, and relationships. She fears her endometriosis is worsening due to the prolonged wait for adequate care.
Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the RCOG, explains that the increasing waiting times are due to various complex factors. The Covid-19 pandemic halted non-urgent elective treatments, exacerbating an already growing issue. Since April 2018, gynaecology waiting lists have increased faster than other specialties. The pressure on workforce, theatre capacity, and equipment, combined with competition for resources between emergency services, cancer care, and elective services, has further strained the system.
Historically, women’s health has been under-researched and under-funded, with less than 2.5% of publicly funded research dedicated solely to reproductive health. This disparity is stark compared to conditions like erectile dysfunction, which receives significantly more research funding despite affecting fewer individuals. This lack of investment contributes to long diagnosis times and inadequate treatment options for conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Although gynaecological conditions like endometriosis are termed ‘benign’, the RCOG argues that this term underplays the severe impact of untreated conditions, which can lead to infertility, adhesions, and infections. Extended waiting times also force many women to seek emergency care, adding further strain to the healthcare system. For instance, emergency admissions in gynaecology rose from nearly 143,000 in March 2021 to almost 170,000 in March 2023.
Emma, 30, from Bedford, experienced severe pain and was admitted to A&E, where she was diagnosed with fibroids and adenomyosis. Despite numerous scans and consultations, she faced delays and inadequate follow-ups, leading to a ruptured cyst and emergency surgery. Her case illustrates the frustrations and ongoing struggles many women face due to prolonged waiting times and lack of coordinated care.
Dr Thakar emphasises the need for immediate government action to prioritise gynaecological services. Labour’s commitment to establish Women’s Health Hubs aims to address these issues by providing integrated services and early interventions. However, progress has been slow, and the situation remains challenging for both healthcare providers and patients.
The growing crisis in gynaecological services in the UK demands urgent attention and action to reduce waiting times and improve care for women. The government must prioritise women’s health and invest in research and resources to address this critical issue effectively.
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