London faces gynaecology crisis with thousands stuck on waiting lists

The UK is in the thick of a "gynaecology care crisis", according to a new report from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Over 750,000 patients are currently waiting for treatment for a serious condition across the UK, with thousands in London desperate for care.

According to the report, the number of women waiting for a gynaecology appointment in South East London has risen by more than three-quarters following the coronavirus pandemic, the most severe increase in in the city. Across England, the waiting list has more than doubled following the pandemic, from 990 per 100,000 people in September 2019, to 2,105 per 100,000 this year.

At the NHS South East London Integrated Care Board the waiting list was 2,587 patients per 100,000 people, marking a 79 per cent increase over five years, with 1,448 per 100,000 waiting in 2019. Across London, the latest figures for the North East Integrated Care Board saw their gynaecology list increase to 2,528 per 100,000 people, while South West's stood at 2,048, North West at 2,025, and North Central London at 1,865 per 100,000 people.

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While developing the report, the RCOG surveyed over 2,000 affected women and over 300 healthcare professionals to understand the care crisis' impact. It found over three quarters (76 per cent) of women waiting for care reported worsening mental health and over two thirds (69 per cent) reported being unable to take part in daily activities including work.

RCOG president Dr Ranee Thakar, said: "Too many women are waiting too long with serious conditions that can devastate their lives. NHS staff are also deeply concerned and distressed that they do not have the necessary resources to deliver good care, affecting their own wellbeing."

Dr Thakar called on UK governments "to commit to long-term, sustained funding to address the systemic issues driving waiting lists" and deliver "an urgent support package for those currently on waiting lists". The report also found over 90 per cent of primary care professionals reported a severe impact on general practice surgeries due to longer waits for hospital gynaecology services.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said while GPs play a key role in managing patients' conditions, the amount they can do is limited. She said: "Women’s health – including gynaecology – is a key part of the RCGP curriculum. There is a lot of support we can and do offer but in many cases, the most appropriate course of action is to refer to specialist care and services – however access is patchy and waiting lists are far too long Cutting waiting lists will benefit everyone across the NHS, particularly outpatients, and we need to see everything being done to make this possible."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Too many women are facing unacceptable waits for gynaecology treatment. This Government is overhauling women's healthcare and our 10 Year Health Plan, backed by a £22.6 billion increase in day-to-day health spending, will bring down waits in gynaecology so get women the support they need when they need it."

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