‘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, often played the role of agony aunt for her clients. However, she recalls a moment when the roles reversed—her customers became the ones listening to her struggles. The 2022 strategy for women’s health in England, introduced by the Conservative government, promised to “radically improve” how the health system engages with women. Yet, four years later, Zoe says the system has still failed her.

“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.”

Zoe has endured endometriosis since her teenage years, a condition that causes severe pain and heavy bleeding. Despite her suffering, she was dismissed as having “bad periods” for years. Now, after major surgery that removed her womb and part of her bowel, she 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 says.

The Labour government has updated the women’s health strategy, aiming to address ongoing issues of neglect. Waiting lists for gynaecological procedures have more than doubled since February 2020, reaching over half a million (565,000) by January 2026. While waiting lists for other treatments have also grown, the increase for gynaecology is stark—up by 112%.

New measures include a “patient power payment” scheme, which will use feedback to allocate funding and penalize providers with poor performance. Gynaecology will be the first trial area, with plans to expand to other conditions. A streamlined referral process and new pain management standards for invasive procedures are also part of the update.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting criticized the NHS for treating women’s pain as an inconvenience. “It’s clear the system is failing women,” he said, adding that some feel like “second class citizens.” Yet, Dr Alison Wright of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists called the situation “deeply concerning,” emphasizing that 565,000 women still wait for care.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society pointed out the lack of a national plan for specialist services, despite previous promises. Dr Sarah Jarvis, a GP and society ambassador, warned that 2,000 lives are lost annually without a clear strategy. Emma Cox of Endometriosis UK echoed this, stating that diagnosis delays of over nine years are “totally unacceptable.”

Meanwhile, the Scottish government has rolled out phase two of its women’s health plan, launched in 2021, to ensure timely gynaecological care. Wales followed suit in 2024 with its own initiative to “close the gender health gap.” Both aim to address the systemic issues Zoe and others have faced for years.