Long waiting times for NHS gynaecological treatments in Northern Ireland are leading to women undergoing potentially avoidable major surgery, according to a retired teacher. Anne Donnelly, who is herself awaiting physiotherapy after an endometriosis operation, was among the 37,000 women on the Northern Ireland Hospital waiting lists with approximately 5% of women waiting nearly three years for treatment. The review of gynae services, conducted by the Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) team in 2020, called for health trusts to prioritise those waiting over a year for surgery. The Department of Health has said the report recognises “unacceptably high” waiting times and additional investment may be required.
Anne was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 22, having seen numerous GPs, specialists and even a psychologist over the years. “It is excruciatingly painful, it is like someone is sticking a knife into you; it takes the breath from you. I’m still shocked that we have to fight seven, eight, nine, 10 years before we are taken seriously,” Anne said. She said women feel “abandoned” by the NHS, with some having their bowels or womb removed as disease, such as endometriosis, spreads.
The GIRFT report recommends creating a single trust gynaecological patient tracking list, promoting an improvement strategy for waiting lists, making planned surgery more resilient and ensuring outpatient procedures and day case gynae surgery are focused at particular hospitals. It also makes specific suggestions for Belfast, Southern, Northern, Western and South Eastern Trusts.
Earlier this year, maternity services were permanently relocated from Causeway to Antrim Area Hospital. The report recommends that similar consideration be made for maternity services at South West Acute Hospital and Daisy Hill, freeing up clinical time and space for other elective women’s services. Anne is awaiting MRI and physiotherapy treatment and is keen to see more action to improve access to gynaecological care in Northern Ireland
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