A new analysis by the health testing company Forth reveals a dramatic surge in the number of NHS patients in England waiting 18 or more weeks for gynaecology treatment. Over the past decade, this number has increased by a staggering 935%. The NHS’s struggles have been well-documented, particularly in the realm of women’s health. Issues such as one in 20 women experiencing PTSD post-childbirth in the UK and the average nine-year wait for an endometriosis diagnosis highlight significant shortcomings.
Recent data underscores the problem, showing women are not receiving the timely healthcare they deserve. Forth’s analysis of NHS and Office for National Statistics (ONS) data from 2013 to 2023 indicates a sharp rise in long waits for gynaecology treatment. The ‘Referral to Treatment’ (RTT) standard, aimed at ensuring patients receive treatment within 18 weeks of their initial appointment, is increasingly unmet. In December 2013, only 4.4% of patients waited longer than 18 weeks; by December 2023, this figure had risen to 48.2%.
The new government faces a significant challenge in addressing this issue. According to Sarah Bolt, CEO and founder of Forth, targeted funding and resources are essential to expand NHS capacity and improve access to specialist services. She stresses that without dedicated efforts, reducing waiting times in women’s healthcare will remain unattainable.
The future impact of government initiatives on women’s health services remains uncertain. Their manifesto promises to cut NHS waiting times, including the provision of 40,000 new appointments weekly, and to ensure women’s health is no longer neglected.
Currently, the NHS is striving to reduce waiting times. An NHS spokesperson mentioned that more elective activities have been delivered each month over the past ten months compared to the same period before the pandemic. However, there is still significant work to be done to reduce long waits, particularly for crucial women’s health appointments and treatments. The NHS is working with local care systems to enhance women’s health outcomes, highlighted by the recent appointment of the first dedicated national clinical director for women’s health to spearhead improvements across England.
The alarming increase in waiting times for gynaecology treatment in England demands urgent attention and action. The commitment to targeted funding and resource allocation will be vital in addressing this critical aspect of women’s healthcare. The impact of these efforts will determine the future of timely and effective healthcare services for women in the UK.
One Health Group PLC (AQSE:OHGR) are a team of Consultant Surgeons and Healthcare managers working with the NHS to provide faster, local and expert care in Orthopaedics, Spinal, General Surgery and Gynaecology.
