NHS 'Medical Misogyny' Fails Female Patients, Warns Top Gynaecologist
Dr Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians, has issued a stark warning about 'medical misogyny' within the NHS, which she says is causing women's health conditions to be systematically deprioritised. This systemic bias is leading to severe consequences for female patients across England.
Alarming Statistics Reveal a Crisis in Women's Healthcare
As of January 2026, over 565,134 women were awaiting gynaecology services in England. Shockingly, only 56 per cent of these patients were seen within the national 18-week target, making gynaecology one of the worst-performing specialities in the NHS. This backlog is not just a number—it represents hundreds of thousands of women suffering in silence.
Dr Wright highlighted that chronic and debilitating conditions such as endometriosis are not receiving adequate attention. Women are waiting far too long for routine procedures, which has a domino effect on the entire healthcare system.
Emergency Admissions Surge Due to Delayed Treatment
The consequences of this neglect are becoming increasingly visible in hospital emergency departments. Emergency admissions for gynaecology have surged, with many women presenting at A&E with acute symptoms. These include severe anaemia or the need for blood transfusions, often resulting from delayed treatment for conditions like fibroids and endometriosis.
This situation is clogging up A&E departments, putting additional strain on an already overburdened NHS. It creates a vicious cycle where preventable emergencies overwhelm resources that could be better used elsewhere.
Call for Women's Health Hubs Ahead of New Strategy
Ahead of the government's forthcoming Women's Health Strategy, Dr Wright is advocating for a practical solution: the introduction of women's health hubs. These integrated facilities would combine GP services with specialist care, providing a more efficient and accessible pathway for women's health issues.
Such hubs could significantly reduce the need for hospital treatment by addressing problems earlier and more effectively. They represent a proactive approach to dismantling the barriers created by medical misogyny.
The Human Cost of Systemic Bias
Behind these statistics are real women whose lives are being impacted daily. The term 'medical misogyny' underscores a deeper issue where women's pain and health concerns are often dismissed or minimised compared to men's. This bias leads to longer waiting times, misdiagnoses, and unnecessary suffering.
Conditions like endometriosis, which can cause excruciating pain and fertility issues, require timely intervention. When that care is delayed, it not only affects physical health but also mental well-being and quality of life.
Looking Forward: A Path to Reform
The upcoming Women's Health Strategy presents a critical opportunity for change. By heeding expert advice and implementing solutions like women's health hubs, the NHS can begin to address this entrenched inequality. It requires a concerted effort to prioritise women's health with the same urgency and resources as other medical fields.
Dr Wright's warning serves as a crucial wake-up call. Without immediate action, the cycle of neglect and emergency admissions will continue, failing the very patients the NHS is meant to serve.
