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Women Wait Years for Care Amid NHS 'Medical Misogyny'
14 Apr
Summary
- Women face long waits for gynaecological treatment due to systemic bias.
- Endometriosis and fibroids are chronic conditions often dismissed by NHS.
- 80% of gynaecologists report burnout, impacting patient care quality.
Dr. Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (RCOG), has highlighted "medical misogyny" within the NHS, causing significant delays in women's healthcare. She stated that women's health conditions, particularly chronic ones like endometriosis and fibroids, are often deprioritized compared to men's. This systemic issue means women may wait years for essential treatments.
As of January 2026, over 565,000 women in England were awaiting gynaecology services, with only 56% receiving treatment within the 18-week NHS target. Emergency admissions have risen, with women presenting to A&E for conditions like anemia and requiring blood transfusions due to delayed elective care.
The RCOG reports that 80% of gynaecologists are experiencing burnout, a situation exacerbated by the systemic pressures and inability to deliver the desired level of care. This burnout directly impacts the quality of care provided to women on lengthy waiting lists.
Ahead of a new government health plan for women, Dr. Wright advocates for women's health hubs to streamline referrals and reduce hospital burden. A pilot hub in Tower Hamlets showed only 25% of referrals required hospital care, a significant decrease from the previous 85%.
