New data shows the non-cancer gynaecology lists continuing to stand at over 580,000 women in England alone, with women waiting months and even years with serious, progressive conditions including endometriosis.
March marks Endometriosis Action Month, and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has partnered with Endometriosis UK to continue to call on the UK government to deliver urgent help for women and people currently waiting for hospital gynaecology care - and for long-term sustained funding to address the complex systemic issues driving waiting list growth.
The call comes as the latest NHS figures for England have been published 13 March 2025. The figures reveal that for January 2025:
- The gynaecology waiting list in England still stands at 582,744.
- In comparison to the data for December 2024, the number of women waiting for non-cancer gynaecology treatment very slightly decreased (by 3,269).
- The number of patients waiting over a year for treatment has stayed level in comparison to the data for December 2024 at around 18,800. This is much lower than in January 2024 when 31,480 women were waiting over a year for treatment.
- The numbers of new referrals into gynaecology in January 2025 are 47% higher than those recorded in March 2020 and 14% higher than in December 2024. This means that more and more women are joining the list and services are working harder to meet demand.
In response to the latest government data on elective waiting times, Dr Ranee Thakar, President of the RCOG said, “As a gynaecologist, my clinic lists continue to grow and the women and people I see are experiencing worsening conditions and more severe symptoms. There are still over 580,000 women and people in England waiting to see a gynaecologist and this number isn’t falling quickly enough.
“Endometriosis Action Month offers another opportunity for us to highlight the devastating impact of long gynaecology waiting lists. 1 in 10 women are estimated to be impacted by endometriosis and many of these women will need support from a gynaecologist to manage their symptoms. As a progressive condition, tackling long waiting lists is vital so we can start to help women sooner.
“We continue to call for urgent action to tackle the gynaecology wait list, which remains one of the longest. The UK government must act and directly tackle this is if they are to reach their targets.”
Emma Cox from Endometriosis UK said,
“This Endometriosis Action Month, we are calling on government to commit to reducing gynaecology wait times so that nobody has to wait in limbo, suffering sometimes debilitating symptoms, without access to the care that they need.
“These figures highlight the urgent need for the government to commit to reducing NHS gynaecology waiting times, and ensure that the NHS 10-year plan tackles the many long-standing issues facing patients with endometriosis and menstrual health conditions, including challenges in accessing gynaecology appointments and treatment. As part of this, the government must ensure the necessary NHS capacity to appropriately diagnose and provide treatment and pain management for those with experiencing symptoms or who have a diagnosis of endometriosis.
Without access to treatment and management the disease may progress and even risk permanent organ damage, whilst symptoms can have an impact on all aspects of life including physical and mental health, work, education and relationships. Multiple visits to GPs, A&E and hospital with symptoms that aren’t recognised impacts on NHS time and resources. The economic case for investing in endometriosis care is clear – and is something the Government cannot afford to ignore”
Jasmine, aged 24 from Lancashire said, “I was put on the waiting list for a laparoscopy in May 2021 and had it in March 2023. My surgery was rescheduled six times, sometimes just hours before. I missed months of university and work and ended up in A&E repeatedly. I was either given no reason at all or told ‘the doctor realised his surgery list is too heavy tomorrow, the people in more pain have a higher priority’. My mental and physical health declined, I was suicidal, isolated and hopeless. As time went on, my disease spread and my symptoms became unbearable, I became a person I didn’t recognise.”
