In recent years, a growing chorus of voices have raised alarming concerns, claiming that the UK healthcare system is systematically failing women.
From the dismissal of chronic pain to the dangerous normalization of debilitating menstrual symptoms, ‘medical misogyny’ has permeated the NHS.
Recently, the UK Health Secretary accused the NHS of harboring a ‘terrible culture of medical misogyny’, characterized by ‘fundamental, everyday sexism’.
It is a disturbing trend that women are often ignored, criticized and disrespected by the medical profession.
Medical misogyny is on the rise
According to disturbing statistics documented in a report by the Women and Equalities Committee, waiting times for gynecology have more than doubled in eight years, with more than 565,000 women currently on waiting lists.
Difficulties were also identified in the diagnosis of endometriosis. On average it takes 9 years and 4 months before a diagnosis is made. Unfortunately, for women belonging to diverse ethnic communities, this waiting period extends to eleven years.
Women from the poorest part of the country experience a poor life expectancy of only 50.5 years. There is also a large wealth gap in healthcare. Currently, only the richest third of women can expect to remain in good health until retirement.
“At the heart of these challenges is a systematic failure to listen to women,” the authors wrote in a report.
“If our approach to health and care doesn’t work for all women – 51% of the population – then simply put, it’s not working,” she added.
Women’s health strategy
Given the widespread prejudice against women in the medical sector, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced a comprehensive package of strategies to tackle the NHS culture, specifically targeting failing women.
According to the measures, efforts will be made to eliminate the diagnostic odyssey for conditions such as fibroids and endometriosis. The proposal also aims to ensure less painful procedures. The patient’s informed consent is obtained for each procedure.
The plan will also improve life expectancy in the poorest part of the country from 50.5 years to at least 61 years.
The reforms will include a new £1 million menstrual education program to help girls distinguish between healthy and unhealthy periods. It will also allow women to influence the withholding of payments for services through patient surveys.
Using the data from the patient survey, the patient experience will be improved, ensuring that women are listened to and taken seriously during their first appointment.
Dr. Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, welcomed plans to “tackle the gynaecology waiting list crisis, raise awareness of menstrual hygiene and support sustainable abortion services”.
