Lidando com o Atraso na Ginecologia: Por que Ações Rápidas São Essenciais para a Saúde da Mulher

Latest research shows that waiting lists for gynaecology appointments across the UK have more than doubled since February 2020. The total equates to more than three-quarters of a million (755,046) women's health appointments, a number that has risen from 360,400 just before the pandemic.

Addressing these delays, experts say, is not only a health concern but also ‘an economic and social necessity’ with the estimated cost of not speedily treating women for gynaecological conditions sitting at around £11bn annually.

As long waiting times for non-cancer gynaecology care continue, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have called for urgent help and for long-term, sustained funding to address the issues driving waiting list growth.

The organisation’s latest report showed gynaecology waiting lists in the UK have grown by a third since their 2022 findings. And they warn that the data captures only part of the problem, with many more women likely waiting for diagnostic tests to confirm their conditions or for vital follow-up care after initial treatments.

Additionally, new referrals into gynaecology in December 2024 were 28% higher compared to figures recorded in March 2020.

Addressing this issue urgently, they say, is essential for people’s physical and mental health and their quality of life as well as its impact on wider society.

The report notes the ‘devastating and escalating impact’ of delays as women affected often endure ‘chronic, debilitating pain’ and worsening physical and mental health symptoms. There are impacts on other parts of the healthcare system with about 25% of women waiting for an appointment having to attend A&E due to their symptoms.

Meanwhile, a separate report led by the NHS Confederation highlights broader economic ramifications, estimating that workplace absences caused by gynaecological conditions such as heavy periods, endometriosis, fibroids, and ovarian cysts cost the UK economy nearly £11 billion annually.

So, how can healthcare providers reduce waiting times for gynaecological diagnostic procedures and treatment?

The RCOG has urged governments across the UK to commit to long-term funding and implement comprehensive strategies to reduce waiting times, arguing that sustained investment is crucial to ‘ensure timely access to care and to prevent further deterioration in women’s health outcomes’.

Addressing this issue as quickly as possible forms part of the Government’s recently announced Plan for Change. It also forms a cornerstone of the NHS and Independent Sector Partnership Agreement, announced in January, and of which, Vanguard Healthcare Solutions is a signatory.

So what is being done? Streamlining processes and offering them as close to home for patients as possible has proven to be successful. Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, for example, has run Super Clinics for Gynaecology which are delivered at weekends, with one-stop models reducing the need for follow up appointments.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has established a Woman’s Health Hub in Leeds, providing training, education and support to GPs. GPs working in the hub are now confident in seeing patients independently and this is further aiding a reduction in hospital waiting times. The hub not only helps patients to be seen sooner, but it enables them to receive care in the community closer to home.

Adding capacity to allow healthcare providers to undertake additional procedures – both diagnostic and treatment – is another solution.

In its Plan for Change, the Government has pledged to develop more Community Diagnostic Centres and Surgical Hubs. Those, by creating additional clinical capacity at speed, could be key to successfully addressing this important issue says Simon Squirrell, UK Business Director of Vanguard Healthcare Solutions:

“As an organisation which is focused solely on healthcare and helping healthcare providers finding the best way to address the challenges they face in any specialty, we know how important it is to create solutions which directly impact patient care – and to do so quickly.

“We’ve seen our mobile and modular healthcare spaces – from theatres to wards, clinics and diagnostic suites – be hugely successful in helping drive down waiting times across all specialities, including gynaecology.

“Most recently the Park View facility at Southmead Hospital, which was initially installed to help during a refurbishment has been so successful in helping add capacity, it has remained on site and is now being used for additionality – particularly in urology and breast procedures. At Milton Keynes University Hospital, a Vanguard solution has helped them increase day cases by around 11%.

“When faced with complex challenges, sometimes it’s important to implement creative solutions.”