‘I’m not being listened to’ – new health plan launched as women say they are still ignored

Women’s Health Plan Faces Criticism Amid Continued Struggles

The Labour government has introduced an updated women’s health strategy for England, aiming to address persistent concerns about the healthcare system’s responsiveness to female patients. However, critics argue that the plan has not yet resolved the challenges many women face in accessing timely and adequate care. Zoe Trafford, a hairdresser from Liverpool, exemplifies these struggles. For years, she endured chronic pain and heavy bleeding from endometriosis, a condition diagnosed during her teenage years. Despite her symptoms, doctors initially dismissed her concerns, labeling them as “just normal” menstrual issues.

“You’ll be alright, it’s just normal,” she said doctors would tell her. “But it’s not normal – I don’t think being in pain is normal.”

Zoe’s experience highlights the ongoing issue of women feeling unheard. Her condition worsened to the point where she required major surgery, including the removal of her womb and part of her bowel. Now, she manages her bladder with a catheter and continues to battle complications. She has had to abandon her career due to the pain of standing for long periods. “I’m not being listened to. Basically, I’ve had the surgery but I’m having more and more complications,” she explains.

The revised strategy, launched four years after the previous Conservative government’s 2022 initiative, promises improved engagement with women’s health. Yet, the current system still leaves many in a cycle of referrals between specialists and general practitioners. Zoe describes this as a “vicious circle” where her care remains uncertain. “I’m being passed from urology to ‘gynae’ back to the GP, and it’s just like I’m in a loop, and no one seems to know what to do with me now,” she says.

Women’s Health in the NHS Under Scrutiny

Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the system’s shortcomings, stating that some women are treated as “second class citizens” with their pain seen as an inconvenience. The strategy comes as waiting lists for gynaecological procedures have surged, with BBC analysis revealing a doubling of patients on such queues between February 2020 and January 2026. Over 565,000 women are now waiting for care, a figure that has risen by more than 50% in five years. While waiting lists for other treatments have also grown, the increase for gynaecological services is significantly higher.

New Measures to Enhance Patient Experience

The Labour government has unveiled several initiatives, including a “patient power payment” scheme. This program will allow women to provide feedback on their treatment experiences, with funds directed toward areas needing improvement. Clinicians receiving poor ratings could face reduced funding. Gynaecology is the first department to trial this system, with potential expansion to other specialties in the future.

Additionally, the plan includes streamlined referral processes and a new standard for pain management during gynaecological procedures. Dr Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, praised the strategy but emphasized the urgency of the situation. “The picture for women remains deeply concerning,” she noted, urging the integration of Women’s Health Hubs into local care models.

Experts Call for Further Action

Despite these efforts, some groups remain skeptical. The Royal Osteoporosis Society questioned the strategy, pointing out that a national plan for specialist osteoporosis services is still missing. The condition affects half of women over 50 and increases their risk of hip fractures, yet no comprehensive action has been taken. Dr Sarah Jarvis, a GP and society ambassador, warned that without a clear plan, “around 2,000 lives are at stake every year.”

Emma Cox of Endometriosis UK echoed this sentiment, stressing that diagnosis delays of over nine years are “totally unacceptable.” She called for a detailed roadmap to ensure resources and capacity are properly allocated. Meanwhile, the Scottish government has advanced its own women’s health plan, launched in 2021, with a focus on transforming services for timely care. Wales also introduced a similar strategy in 2024, targeting the “gender health gap.” While progress is being made, many believe the fight for equitable care is far from over.