I'm on six different NHS waiting lists - it's taking over my life

Amy-Jane Davies is on six NHS waiting lists and says constantly chasing for updates is taking over her life.

She's waited 21 months for gynaecological surgery, which she said will likely result in her being referred for a more specialist operation - meaning another waiting list.

Amy-Jane, who has endometriosis, is one of 43,120 on a gynaecology waiting list in Wales and one of 687,958 waiting for any type of treatment. She said her condition had affected her life in ways she "didn't imagine", from reducing her hours at work to deciding not to become a mother.

With the Senedd election in Wales on 7 May, NHS waiting times are one of the challenges facing the next Welsh government.

Amy-Jane, 30, from south Wales, was first diagnosed with endometriosis in 2018, a condition where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body.

Her symptoms range from abdominal cramping and severe bloating to migraines, fatigue, as well as bladder and bowel problems.

"During Covid, the gynaecology waiting lists grew to eight to 10 years and at that point I knew there was just no way I could wait that long to get something done," she said.

In 2021, Amy-Jane paid £4,000 for private surgery with help from her mum and nan.