Almost 600,000 in England awaiting gynaecological treatment, figures show

Nearly 600,000 in England awaiting gynecological treatment, new figures reveal. Explore the implications of this backlog on women's healthcare.

The UK government is facing criticism for what some are calling the "deprioritisation of women's health," as new analysis reveals a significant increase in the number of women waiting for gynaecological treatment in England.

 

According to Labour's analysis of data from the House of Commons library, nearly 600,000 women in England are currently waiting for gynaecological treatment, marking a third increase over the past two years. Additionally, there are 33,000 women waiting more than a year for treatment, representing a 43% increase.

 

The analysis also highlights disparities in cervical cancer screening and breast cancer treatment across regions in England. Only about two-thirds of eligible women have been screened for cervical cancer in the past five and a half years, falling short of the government's target of 80% coverage. Similarly, one in four women with suspected breast cancer waited more than two weeks to see a specialist, and only two English regions meet the 70% coverage target for breast cancer screening.

 

These findings raise concerns about access to vital healthcare services for women, with Labour describing the situation as a "postcode lottery." Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary Anneliese Dodds criticized the Conservative government for what she called a "scandalous" failure to prioritize women's health, promising that Labour would address these issues and ensure proper NHS funding and reform.

 

Health experts emphasized the urgent need for improvement, with Cancer Research UK's Beth Vincent calling for increased NHS resources and reform to cancer services. Bridget Little from Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust highlighted the concerning disparities in cervical screening access and coverage targets, stressing the importance of effective strategies to eliminate cervical cancer.

 

In response, Minister for Women Maria Caulfield defended the government's efforts, citing initiatives like the women's health strategy and investments in women's health hubs and research. However, critics argue that more action is needed to address the growing healthcare disparities affecting women across England.