Gynaecology waiting lists double, leaving women in pain

Waiting lists for gynaecology appointments across the UK have more than doubled since February 2020, BBC research reveals.

Records show around three-quarters of a million (755,046) women's health appointments are waiting to happen - up from 360,400 just before the pandemic.

This would suggest around 630,000 people - at the very least - are on the list to be seen for problems that range from fibroids and endometriosis to incontinence and menopause care.

Health ministers across the UK say they are working on plans to improve the situation, but health leaders say that women are being let down.

"Women are being let down" and change is "urgently needed," says Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).

The college's new report, external looks at the impact on people waiting for care.

"Gynaecology is the only elective speciality that solely treats women and has one of the worst waiting lists across the UK.

"This reflects the persistent lack of priority given to women and women’s health, " Dr Thakar says.

"Women are suffering. We know it is affecting their mental health. They are not able to go to work, they are not able to socialise."

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Source: BBC News, 18 November 2024

Further reading on the hub:

• One hour with a women's health expert and finally I felt seen
• The normalisation of women’s pain
• Sex bias in pain management decisions
• Misogyny is a safety issue: a blog by Saira Sundar