Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Women’s Health Strategy

Wednesday 8 June 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jeff Smith inquired about the progress made on the women's health strategy and the impact of the backlog in gynaecology waiting lists.
  • The Government cited the roll-out of community diagnostic centres as a measure to address the issue of long waiting times for gynaecological procedures.
  • Taiwo Owatemi questioned the Government about the increase in women waiting over 12 months for healthcare and the non-existence of the women's health strategy.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists released figures showing gynaecology waiting lists have increased by over 60% to half a million people, the highest proportion in any other area of medicine.

Question

What recent progress has been made on delivering the women's health strategy? The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists reports that gynaecology waiting lists have soared by over 60%, affecting half a million patients. What are the Government's plans to address this issue and reduce waiting times?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

The backlog of gynae procedures caused by covid is impacting waiting lists. The roll-out of community diagnostic centres will help, allowing GPs to refer women directly for some gynae procedures without secondary care referrals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific plans or timelines to reduce waiting times

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Q2 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
NHS
Context

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists reported that gynaecology waiting lists have increased by over 60%, affecting half a million patients, which is the highest in any other area of medicine. A constituent of the MP has been waiting for an appointment since November 2021.

Question

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists reports that gynaecology waiting lists have soared by over 60% to half a million people, more than in any other area of medicine. What are the Government's plans to sort this out and reduce these long waiting times?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

The backlog of gynaecology procedures caused by covid is impacting waiting lists. The roll-out of community diagnostic centres will help, allowing GPs to refer women directly for some gynae procedures without secondary care referrals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or timelines to address the backlog

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Q3 Taiwo Owatemi Lab Coventry North West
NHS
Context

Figures published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists show that 25,000 women are now waiting over 12 months for healthcare in England. A constituent of Taiwo Owatemi was offered an appointment only in October 2023, more than a year from when she requested it.

Question

The backlog is not just due to covid; figures show that the number of women waiting over 12 months for healthcare has increased from 66 two years ago to 25,000 today. Given that the Government's delayed women's health strategy still does not exist, what action will be taken now to reduce these unacceptable waiting times?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

The hon. Lady has answered her own question: cases have risen in the past two years due to the pandemic. If we were under a Labour Government, we would still be in lockdown.

Not addressed: Did not address the waiting times issue or provide any action plan

How: Attacking

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