‘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 had to serve as a confidant for her clients. But a pivotal moment came when the roles shifted—the women in her salon began to listen to her as she shared her struggles. Zoe has lived with endometriosis, a condition marked by intense pain and heavy bleeding, since her teenage years. For years, medical professionals dismissed her symptoms as mere menstrual discomfort.

In 2022, the Conservative government introduced a women’s health strategy for England, promising to “comprehensively enhance” how the health system interacts with and supports women. Zoe, who spoke to the BBC that year, recalled doctors telling her, “You’ll be alright, it’s just normal.” She challenged this, stating,

“But it’s not normal – I don’t think being in pain is normal.”

Four years later, the Labour government has refreshed the strategy, aiming to address ongoing gaps in women’s healthcare. However, Zoe’s experience highlights the persistent challenges. After major surgery that removed her womb and part of her bowel, she now relies on a catheter for bladder drainage. The pain remains relentless, and she still feels her concerns are overlooked.

“I’m not being listened to. Basically, I’ve had the surgery but I’m having more and more complications,”

she explained.

Her career as a hairdresser has ended due to the toll of standing for extended periods. Meanwhile, long waits for treatment persist.

“I’m being passed from urology to ‘gynae’ back to the GP, and it’s just like I’m in a vicious circle, and no one seems to know what to do with me now,”

Zoe lamented.

Strategies and Reforms

The revised strategy comes amid growing criticism that women’s voices are frequently sidelined in the NHS. Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged this, noting that some women feel treated as “second class citizens,” with their pain dismissed as an inconvenience and symptoms seen as overreactions. “It’s clear the system is failing women,” he stated.

BBC analysis reveals that the number of women waiting for gynaecological procedures in England has doubled since February 2020, reaching over 565,000 by January 2026. While waiting lists for other treatments have also risen, the increase for gynaecological care has been more pronounced. The government has introduced several initiatives to tackle this, including a new “patient power payment” scheme. This will allow women to provide feedback on their treatment experiences, with resources directed to areas needing improvement and providers facing negative reviews potentially losing funding.

Gynaecology is the first field to test this program, with plans to expand it to other health conditions. Additionally, a streamlined referral process is set to cut down on delays, and a new standard for pain management during invasive procedures will be implemented.

Critics and Calls for Action

Despite these measures, some experts remain skeptical. Dr. Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, praised the strategy but emphasized,

“With over 565,000 women still waiting for gynaecological care, there is a clear opportunity to embed Women’s Health Hubs within the neighbourhood health model.”

The Royal Osteoporosis Society questioned the plan, pointing out that a national strategy for specialist services in osteoporosis—previously committed to—has yet to materialize. Dr. Sarah Jarvis, a GP and society ambassador, warned that around 2,000 lives are lost annually without a cohesive plan. Emma Cox, chief executive of Endometriosis UK, echoed this, stating that diagnosis delays of over nine years are “totally unacceptable.” She urged the government to provide a clear roadmap for implementation, ensuring adequate resources and capacity.

Meanwhile, Scotland has advanced its own women’s health plan, introducing phase two in 2024. The Welsh government launched a separate Women’s Health Plan in 2024, aiming to “close the gender health gap by pro” — though the full commitment remains to be seen.