Leading medical professionals have highlighted the urgent need to tackle increasing gynaecology waiting lists, noting that many women endure prolonged suffering. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has reported that these long waits are leading to emergency admissions due to deteriorating health conditions. Currently, the waiting list for gynaecological care in England is nearly 600,000. As of April 2024, almost half of these patients had been waiting longer than the 18-week target, with 5% waiting over a year, equating to 29,660 women.
Emergency admissions have also risen, from almost 143,000 in March 2021 to nearly 170,000 by March 2023. A new data dashboard created by the College, with assistance from LCP Health Analytics, highlights significant regional disparities in waiting times. According to RCOG, gynaecology waiting lists in England have increased faster than any other medical specialty since 2020. Each month, more patients are referred to these services than can be treated, pushing the current UK-wide waiting list to 751,531.
Jane Plumb, RCOG’s women’s voices lead, expressed concern over the vast number of women struggling with severe, progressive gynaecological conditions, often resulting in them giving up work. She noted that those in deprived areas face the longest waits, exacerbating inequalities. RCOG president Dr Ranee Thakar emphasised the crisis’s impact on women’s mental health, family life, and employment. She stressed that gynaecology teams are overwhelmed and cannot provide timely care. Dr Thakar called for immediate government action to prioritise women’s health and reduce waiting lists within the first 100 days in power.
Additionally, the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare has urged Health Secretary Wes Streeting to prioritise sexual and reproductive health. Faculty president Dr Janet Barter, supported by over 800 clinicians, pointed out severe health inequalities faced by women and girls across the UK. Dr Barter insisted that reproductive health should be central to government health plans.
In response, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesman acknowledged the unacceptability of current wait times and reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritising women’s health. An investigation led by Professor Lord Darzi has been launched to assess the challenges facing the NHS, marking the first step towards its recovery.
The pressing issue of gynaecology waiting lists demands immediate attention to prevent further suffering and ensure equitable access to care for all women.
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.
