‘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, found herself acting as an agony aunt for her clients. But the roles flipped when she realized her own health issues were being overlooked. Zoe has lived with endometriosis since her teenage years, a condition that brings intense pain and heavy bleeding. For years, doctors dismissed her symptoms, labeling them as merely “bad periods.”
“You’ll be alright, it’s just normal,” she said doctors would tell her. “But it’s not normal – I don’t think being in pain is normal.”
The 2022 women’s health strategy, introduced by the Conservative government, aimed to “radically improve” the NHS’s engagement with women and girls. It promised better health outcomes by ensuring their voices were prioritized. However, Zoe’s experience highlights the ongoing challenges. Four years later, a Labour government has revised the strategy, yet her situation has worsened.
Since the strategy was launched, Zoe has undergone major surgery, losing her womb and part of her bowel. She now drains her own bladder with a small tube. “I’m not being listened to. Basically, I’ve had the surgery but I’m having more and more complications,” she explains. Her career as a hairdresser has also come to an end due to the relentless pain of standing.
The updated plan faces scrutiny amid growing concerns about women’s health being undervalued. Health Secretary Wes Streeting noted that some women feel like “second class citizens,” with their pain treated as an inconvenience and symptoms dismissed as overreactions. “It’s clear the system is failing women,” he states.
BBC analysis reveals a significant surge in women waiting for gynaecological procedures. Between February 2020 and January 2026, the number of women on such waiting lists doubled to over 565,000. While waiting lists for other treatments increased by 58%, the rise in gynaecological care delays remains alarming.
The Updated Strategy
The government’s new approach includes a “patient power payment” scheme. This initiative will let women report their treatment experiences, with funds directed to areas needing improvement. Clinicians receiving poor feedback could face reduced funding. Gynaecology is the first field to trial this system, with potential expansion to other conditions.
Additionally, a streamlined referral process is being introduced to reduce delays in accessing appropriate care. A new standard of care will also ensure women receive adequate pain relief during invasive procedures.
Criticism and Concerns
Despite these efforts, experts remain skeptical. Dr Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, praised the strategy but warned, “the picture for women remains deeply concerning.” She emphasized the need for Women’s Health Hubs within the neighborhood health model to address ongoing gaps.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society raised questions about the plan’s scope, pointing out the absence of a national strategy for osteoporosis. Dr Sarah Jarvis, a GP and society ambassador, noted that without a clear plan, around 2,000 lives are at risk each year. Emma Cox of Endometriosis UK stressed the urgency, stating that diagnosis times exceeding nine years are “totally unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, the Scottish government has advanced its women’s health plan, with phase two launched in 2024. This includes reforms to guarantee timely access to gynaecological care. The Welsh government also introduced a Women’s Health Plan in 2024, aiming to “close the gender health gap by pro…”
