‘I’m not being listened to’ – new health plan launched as women say they are still ignored

I’m not being listened to

Zoe Trafford, a Liverpool-based hairdresser, frequently acted as a confidant for her clients. But she recalls a time when the roles reversed—her customers had to listen to her struggles. Zoe has lived with endometriosis since her teenage years, a condition that brings intense pain and heavy bleeding. For years, medical professionals dismissed her symptoms as mere menstrual discomfort. She shared her story with the BBC in 2022, when the Conservative government unveiled a women’s health strategy for England. “They’d say, ‘You’ll be fine, it’s just normal,’ ” she recounted. “But I’ve never felt normal—being in pain isn’t normal.”

Revised strategy amid ongoing challenges

Four years later, the Labour administration has initiated a revision of the healthcare initiative. The updated plan promises to enhance the system’s responsiveness to women’s needs and elevate health outcomes. Yet, for Zoe, the situation has worsened. She underwent significant surgery, losing her womb and part of her bowel, and now manages her own bladder drainage. Despite these changes, she feels her concerns remain unaddressed. “I’m still not being heard. I’ve had the operation, but complications keep mounting,” she explained.

Zoe’s ability to work has been impacted, as standing for long periods is now unbearable. Meanwhile, wait times for care persist. “I’m shuffled between urology, gynaecology, and the GP, trapped in a cycle where no one knows how to help,” she said. The revised strategy faces criticism for neglecting women’s voices, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledging the NHS has treated some women as “second-class citizens.” He highlighted that pain is often seen as an inconvenience, and symptoms as an overreaction.

Key updates and proposed solutions

The new plan introduces a “patient power payment” scheme, allowing women to share feedback on their treatment experiences. Based on this input, funding will be directed to areas needing improvement, with providers facing penalties for poor performance. Gynaecology is the first department to test this approach, potentially expanding to other conditions. Additionally, a faster referral process and standardized pain management protocols for gynaecological procedures are part of the reforms.

Despite these steps, experts remain skeptical. Dr. Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, praised the strategy but noted, “The situation for women remains deeply troubling.” She emphasized the need for Women’s Health Hubs within the local health network, given the 565,000 women still waiting for care. The Royal Osteoporosis Society raised concerns about the lack of a national plan for specialist services, which affect half of women over 50 and raise hip fracture risks. Dr. Sarah Jarvis, a GP and society ambassador, warned that without a clear roadmap, around 2,000 lives are at risk annually.

Comparisons with other UK nations

In contrast, the Scottish government released the second phase of its women’s health plan in 2024, aiming to reduce gender health disparities. Wales also launched a similar strategy, targeting “closing the gender health gap by pro.” While these efforts show progress, the call for a comprehensive national plan continues, with advocates stressing the urgency of improving diagnosis times—currently averaging over nine years for endometriosis—and ensuring adequate resources.