Dr Ranee Thakar
President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)
Learn about the urgent need to prioritise women’s health in the UK. Explore challenges, impacts and solutions for equitable gynaecological care provision.
For decades, women’s health has been deprioritised, underfunded and under-researched. The impact has been devastating, particularly for gynaecological care provision in this country. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated existing challenges in NHS gynaecology services, with waiting lists growing faster than other specialties.
Gynaecology care shortages persist
As of December 2023, there were nearly 600,000 women and people on gynaecology waiting lists across England with over 33,000 waiting over a year. Moreover, there is a postcode lottery when accessing gynaecological care; women living in the Midlands wait longer, on average, than any other region in England.
Serious gynaecology conditions are too often overlooked when prioritising NHS capacity. In part, this relates to the misconception that conditions such as endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, prolapse and incontinence are ‘benign.’ This could not be further from the truth.
Gynaecological conditions impacting daily life
The people I see in my clinic are grappling with symptoms such as severe pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding and incontinence. Their conditions affect their physical and mental wellbeing and ability to work or even leave their house.
These conditions can also be progressive. Nearly three-quarters of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ members surveyed in 2021 felt long waits meant they were seeing women with complex care needs. In 2024, this will only be worse.
As of December 2023, there were nearly 600,000 women and people on gynaecology waiting lists across England with over 33,000 waiting over a year.
Finding solutions to gynaecological concerns
The introduction of the Government’s women’s health strategy a year ago is positive, including the creation of Women’s Health Hubs to help women access care in the right place, at the right time. However, progress still feels frustratingly slow for gynaecologists working on the frontline and women waiting for treatment.
To help deliver solutions faster, this year, the College will be undertaking work to identify effective policies and initiatives to address gynaecology waiting lists. An important part will be listening to women living with these conditions to help design solutions for the future.
Call for joint taskforce and holistic care
The College also believes there needs to be a Government and NHS-led joint taskforce to address the issues unique to the specialty and ensure the effective and equitable recovery of elective gynaecology services. It is time for health services to meet the needs of women (who make up half of the population) across the country by delivering timely, compassionate and holistic care.
