‘I’m not being listened to’ – new health plan launched as women say they are still ignored
‘I’m not being listened to’ – new health plan launched as women say they are still ignored
Zoe Trafford, a hairdresser in Liverpool, often found herself answering customers’ personal concerns. But she recalls a moment when the roles reversed—her clients began listening to her struggles instead. Diagnosed with endometriosis in her teens, Zoe endured years of dismissive responses from medical professionals. They told her her symptoms were simply “normal,” yet she insists that persistent pain and heavy bleeding are far from ordinary.
The 2022 women’s health strategy, introduced by the Conservative government, aimed to “radically improve” how the NHS engaged with female patients. It promised better care and outcomes. However, four years later, the Labour government has unveiled an updated version of the plan. For Zoe, the changes haven’t brought relief—her condition has worsened, requiring major surgery to remove her womb and part of her bowel. She now drains her own bladder with a tube and continues to feel overlooked by the system.
Zoe’s experience mirrors broader frustrations within the NHS. Waiting times for gynaecological procedures have surged, with BBC analysis revealing a doubling of figures from February 2020 to January 2026. Over 565,000 women now wait for care, compared to 282,500 in 2020. While waiting lists for other treatments rose by 58%, the increase in gynaecological cases remains alarmingly steep.
New Measures to Address Gaps
The updated strategy includes a “patient power payment” initiative, designed to gather feedback on care experiences. Women will report their treatment journeys, and funds will be directed toward areas needing improvement. Poor performance could lead to reduced funding for providers. This pilot program starts in gynaecology but may expand to other conditions. A faster referral system and standardized pain management for invasive procedures are also part of the plan.
“I’m not being listened to. Basically, I’ve had the surgery but I’m having more and more complications,” Zoe says. She’s abandoned her career due to the unbearable pain of standing, highlighting the personal toll of systemic neglect.
Experts Call for More Than Promises
Despite the new plan, some experts remain critical. Dr Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, welcomed the strategy but warned that “the picture for women remains deeply concerning.” She emphasized the need for Women’s Health Hubs under the neighbourhood health model to address ongoing issues. The Royal Osteoporosis Society, meanwhile, pointed out the absence of a national plan for specialist services, which could affect over 2,000 lives annually without clear action.
Emma Cox, chief executive of Endometriosis UK, stressed that the new strategy must include a “clear roadmap for delivery” to ensure resources and capacity meet the demand. She noted that average diagnosis times for endometriosis exceed nine years, calling this “totally unacceptable.” The Scottish and Welsh governments have also introduced their own initiatives, with Scotland’s plan focusing on transforming services to provide timely access to care.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the NHS’s shortcomings, stating that women are often treated as “second class citizens” with pain dismissed as an inconvenience. “It’s clear the system is failing women,” he added, underscoring the urgency of reform. Yet, for many, the promises of progress still fall short of real change.
