‘I’m not being listened to’ – new health plan launched as women say they are still ignored
‘I’m not being listened to’ – new health plan launched as women say they are still ignored
Zoe Trafford, a hairdresser in Liverpool, has faced a painful reality that many women know too well. After years of enduring endometriosis, a condition causing intense discomfort and heavy bleeding, she found herself in a position where her clients had to become her advocates. The 2022 Conservative government’s women’s health strategy aimed to “radically improve” how the health system engages with female patients, yet four years later, Zoe’s story highlights ongoing challenges.
“You’ll be alright, it’s just normal,” doctors would tell her. “But it’s not normal – I don’t think being in pain is normal.”
Since the strategy’s launch, Zoe has undergone major surgery, losing her womb and part of her bowel, and now manages her own bladder drainage. Despite the new plan, she still feels her concerns are unaddressed. “I’m not being listened to,” she says. “I’ve had the surgery, but complications keep mounting, and no one seems to know how to handle it.”
With endometriosis persisting, Zoe has had to abandon her career. Her experience reflects broader issues within the NHS, where women’s voices are often overlooked. Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged this, stating that some women have been treated as “second class citizens” with their pain dismissed as an inconvenience.
Statistics reveal a stark reality: the number of women awaiting gynaecological procedures in England has more than doubled since 2020, reaching over 565,000 by January 2026. While waiting lists for other treatments have also grown, the increase in gynaecology cases is more significant. This trend underscores the urgent need for reform, with critics arguing that systemic gaps remain despite government pledges.
New measures for gynaecological care
The updated strategy includes initiatives such as a “patient power payment” scheme, where women can report their experiences and feedback to influence resource allocation. Providers receiving negative reviews risk losing funding. Gynaecology is the first area to pilot this system, with plans to expand to other conditions.
Streamlined referral processes and new care standards are also part of the reforms, aiming to reduce delays and ensure proper pain management during procedures. However, Dr. Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, emphasized that the situation remains “deeply concerning” despite these commitments.
“With over 565,000 women still waiting for care, there’s a clear opportunity to integrate Women’s Health Hubs into the neighbourhood health model,” she noted. The Royal Osteoporosis Society added its voice to the criticism, pointing out the absence of a national plan for specialist services for osteoporosis, which impacts half of women over 50 and raises hip fracture risks.
Dr. Sarah Jarvis, a GP and society ambassador, warned that without a clear strategy, “around 2,000 lives are at risk annually.” Emma Cox of Endometriosis UK echoed this, stressing that diagnosis delays of over nine years are “totally unacceptable” and calling for a defined roadmap to deliver promised improvements.
Meanwhile, Scotland and Wales have taken steps forward. The Scottish government introduced phase two of a women’s health plan, focusing on service transformation for timely care. Wales’ 2024 plan aims to “close the gender health gap by proactively addressing disparities,” setting a benchmark for progress in the sector.
