Number of People Waiting for Gynaecological Treatment in England Reaches Nearly 600,000

The latest figures reveal that the number of people in England waiting for gynaecological treatment has reached a staggering 600,000, marking a 33% increase over the past two years. This surge includes a 40,000 rise in just one year, with one in four women with suspected breast cancer waiting more than two weeks to see a specialist.

The waiting list for gynaecological treatments has seen a significant increase, with a 43% rise in women waiting over a year for treatment. Additionally, cervical cancer screening rates have fallen below the government's 80% target, with only 68.7% coverage. For breast cancer, 26% of women with suspected cases experienced delays of more than two weeks to see a specialist, and only 66.4% of eligible women were screened in the past three years against a target of 70%.

The NHS aims for 92% of patients to have a referral to treatment time under 18 weeks, yet regional disparities persist. The Labour Party has criticized the government for neglecting women's health, pledging to tackle the backlog and ensure that more women are seen faster. Shadow Minister Feryal Clark stated, "These figures are a damning indictment of the Conservatives' systematic de-prioritisation of women's health, with 33,000 women waiting more than a year for treatment and under two-thirds of eligible women being screened for breast cancer in the last three years."

Health professionals have highlighted staffing and equipment shortages as contributing factors to the delays. In response, Health Secretary Steve Barclay acknowledged the issue, stating that the government is investing over £8 billion in additional elective activity and capacity, including community diagnostic centers and surgical hubs that provide gynaecological services. Barclay noted that while the longest waits for gynaecology services have reduced by nearly 95% since their peak in September 2021, more work needs to be done to prioritize women's health, which has historically not received the attention it deserves.

Why this matters: The significant increase in waiting times for gynaecological treatments and the delays in cancer screenings highlight the urgent need to address the growing backlog and prioritize women's health in England. The current situation is causing pain, misery, and potentially worse outcomes for the affected women, emphasizing the importance of swift action and increased investment in the sector.

The government contends that it is prioritizing women's health through its new strategy and investments in the sector. However, the Labour Party maintains that the current figures reflect a systematic de-prioritisation of women's health under the Conservative government. As the debate continues, the focus remains on finding effective solutions to reduce waiting times, improve access to screenings, and ensure that women receive the timely care they need.

Key Takeaways

• Waiting list for gynaecological treatments in England up 33% in 2 years, reaching 600,000.
• 43% rise in women waiting over a year for treatment, cervical cancer screening below 80% target.
• 26% of women with suspected breast cancer waited >2 weeks to see a specialist, 66.4% screened.
• NHS aims for 92% of patients to have <18-week referral, but regional disparities persist.
• Labour criticizes govt for neglecting women's health, govt pledges £8bn to address backlog.