Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gynaecological Care: Waiting Lists

Wednesday 25 January 2023 · 4 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions on NHS waiting lists for gynaecological care were requested.
  • The government reported spending 8 billion to clear the NHS backlog.
  • In October 2022, 38,000 women had been waiting over a year for gynaecological treatment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
NHS
Context

Concerns about long wait times for vaginal mesh removal and a lack of trained surgeons to perform the procedure.

Question

If she will hold discussions with her Cabinet colleagues on NHS waiting lists for gynaecological care. Some vaginal mesh-injured women have been left waiting four years for mesh removal, and I have already highlighted women's concerns that the surgeons they go to for mesh removal are trained only in implanting the mesh and not in removing it. These women fear that, once again, they are being used as test subjects. When will mesh-injured women get the redress that was recommended in Baroness Cumberlege's review, “First Do No Harm”?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

Tackling NHS waiting lists, including for gynaecology, is a priority for the Government, which is why we are spending £8 billion on clearing our backlog. For gynae procedures specifically, we have opened 90 surgical hubs, 90 community diagnostic centres and women's health hubs, which will all help to tackle gynaecology backlogs. I thank the hon. Lady for her work in this space. I recognise that while we have set up nine specialist mesh centres to tackle mesh removal and seen a number of women come forward and receive their surgery, there are still a number on the waiting list. I am meeting some of the campaigners on mesh removal next week.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address when redress will be provided for vaginal mesh-injured women as per Baroness Cumberlege's review recommendations

How: Tackling Nhs Waiting Lists Is A Priority, Opening Surgical Hubs And Centres To Tackle Backlogs

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
NHS
Context

NHS England figures show a significant increase in the number of women waiting over a year for gynaecological treatment.

Question

NHS England figures show that in October 2012, 15 women had been waiting over a year for gynaecological treatment. Can the Minister tell the House how many women had been waiting for that long in October last year?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

As the shadow Minister will know, there is a backlog of procedures in all four devolved nations of the United Kingdom for clinical reasons, rather than political reasons. We have made huge progress in clearing the two-year backlog, with the majority of those patients now having had their treatments. We are on track to meet the target for the 18-month backlog in April, and we will then focus on those who are waiting a year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific number of women waiting over a year as requested

How: Backlog Exists For Clinical Reasons, Progress Made In Clearing Backlogs

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East
NHS
Context

Significant increase in the number of women waiting over a year for gynaecological treatment, with low cervical screening rates.

Question

I regret that the Minister did not directly answer my question—perhaps it was because she is aware of the appalling scale of the backlog. As of October last year, 38,000 women had been waiting over a year for treatment. That is 2,500 times more than 10 years ago. On top of that, less than half of women are up to date with cervical screening in some areas. Do women suffering in pain now just have to accept long waiting times and low screening rates under the Conservatives?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

Isn't it sad that this is turning into a political football, when there are clinical reasons why backlogs have accumulated over the two years? Perhaps the shadow Minister will look at Wales, where Labour has been in charge for 20 years and where the performance is worse than in England.

Not addressed: Avoided discussing women's suffering and long wait times

How: Blaming The Opposition, Comparing Performance With Labour-Led Wales

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East
NHS
Context

Concerns about long wait times for vaginal mesh removal.

Question

If she will hold discussions with her Cabinet colleagues on NHS waiting lists for gynaecological care. Some vaginal mesh-injured women have been left waiting four years for mesh removal, and I have already highlighted women's concerns that the surgeons they go to for mesh removal are trained only in implanting the mesh and not in removing it. These women fear that, once again, they are being used as test subjects. When will mesh-injured women get the redress that was recommended in Baroness Cumberlege's review, “First Do No Harm”?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

Tackling NHS waiting lists, including for gynaecology, is a priority for the Government, which is why we are spending £8 billion on clearing our backlog. For gynae procedures specifically, we have opened 90 surgical hubs, 90 community diagnostic centres and women's health hubs, which will all help to tackle gynaecology backlogs. I thank the hon. Lady for her work in this space. I recognise that while we have set up nine specialist mesh centres to tackle mesh removal and seen a number of women come forward and receive their surgery, there are still a number on the waiting list. I am meeting some of the campaigners on mesh removal next week.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address when redress will be provided for vaginal mesh-injured women as per Baroness Cumberlege's review recommendations

How: Tackling Nhs Waiting Lists Is A Priority, Opening Surgical Hubs And Centres To Tackle Backlogs

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email