‘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
Four years after a Conservative government unveiled a women’s health strategy for England, a Labour administration has introduced an updated version. The new plan aims to address longstanding issues in how healthcare services respond to women’s needs, yet many continue to voice concerns about their treatment. Zoe Trafford, a hairdresser in Liverpool, is one such individual whose experience highlights the persistent challenges.
A Personal Story of Misdiagnosis
Zoe has battled endometriosis since her teenage years, a condition that causes intense pain and heavy bleeding. For years, her symptoms were dismissed as “just bad periods” by medical professionals. She recalls doctors telling her, “You’ll be alright, it’s normal,” despite her insistence that the pain was anything but normal. The 2022 strategy, which promised to “radically improve” the health system’s engagement with women, came too late for her.
“I’m not being listened to. Basically, I’ve had the surgery but I’m having more and more complications,” Zoe says. She now drains her own bladder using a small tube after major surgery removed her womb and part of her bowel. The pain from standing has forced her to quit her job, leaving her in a cycle of referrals between urology, gynaecology, and general practice.
Her story reflects a broader critique of the NHS, where women’s voices are often overlooked. Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged this, stating that some women feel like “second class citizens” with their pain treated as an inconvenience and symptoms viewed as overreactions. “It’s clear the system is failing women,” he added.
New Measures to Improve Care
The updated strategy includes a “patient power payment” scheme, which will let women provide feedback on their treatment experiences. Based on this input, funding will be directed to areas needing improvement, with providers receiving negative reviews potentially losing resources. Gynaecology is the first area to trial this initiative, and it could be expanded to other conditions in the future.
Alongside this, the plan introduces a streamlined process for referring patients to the right clinicians and a new standard for pain management during invasive procedures. However, experts argue that these steps fall short of addressing systemic gaps.
Critics Highlight Persistent Gaps
Dr Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, praised the strategy but warned that the situation for women remains “deeply concerning.” She noted that over 565,000 women in England still face long waits for gynaecological care, urging the integration of Women’s Health Hubs into the local health model.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society also expressed skepticism, pointing out the lack of a national plan for specialist services for osteoporosis. Dr Sarah Jarvis, a GP and society ambassador, highlighted the risk to 2,000 lives annually without such a plan. Meanwhile, Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, called for a “clear roadmap for delivery,” emphasizing that diagnosis delays of more than nine years are “totally unacceptable.”
Scotland and Wales have taken similar steps, with the Scottish government launching phase two of its women’s health plan in 2024 and Wales introducing its own strategy the same year. These efforts underscore a growing recognition of the need for systemic change in women’s healthcare. Yet, for Zoe and countless others, the journey to being heard is far from over.
