The impact of NHS waiting lists

A recent BBC article highlighting the movement toward private treatment to avoid NHS waiting lists also highlights the impact of those delays upon patients.

The article highlights the story of Pippa, where a delay in the diagnosis of an ovarian cyst caused further severe health issues, including nerve damage in her leg.

The BBC analysis of the gynaecology elective waiting lists shows that there is a gradual drop in the number of waiting lists. However, the figures significantly differ from pre-pandemic levels, with approximately 66 gynaecology waits of over 12 months. Currently, this figure stands at 22,000.

Gynaecology care covers a range of issues, from fibroids to incontinence and endometriosis to menopause. There has been a growing movement to normalise menopause in everyday life, with several high-profile celebrities speaking out about the impact of menopause upon them. Many firms include a menopause policy and provide training for managers and staff to support and increase knowledge around the issue. However, other women’s health issues, such as endometriosis, still encounter severe delays in diagnosis, with women being told that the issues are “in their head” and to just get used to the pain.

The early accurate diagnosis of issues such as endometriosis would prevent the condition from progressing to the point where it causes other health issues and further impacts on the NHS. This is supported by RCOG, which is asking for the Government to commit to long-term funding for women’s health and via the Change NHS to highlight and discuss issues around women’s health and how it impacts their day-to-day lives.

The Change NHS involves taking a survey, providing details of your experiences of the NHS care you have received both as a patient and as an employee and providing ideas for change. Going forward with this allows the Government to identify where funding for treatment and support is best provided to allow joint-up care and to try to deal with the backlog in appointments and treatment.

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Sources:

• Folder: In case you missed it | Change NHS
• Gynaecology waiting lists in UK double, leaving women in pain
• Gynaecology patients going private to escape NHS waiting lists