The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has released a report in respect of the devastating impact of the UK gynaecology care crisis. The report, titled ‘Waiting for a way forward: Voices of women and healthcare professionals at the centre of the gynaecology care crisis’ shines a light on the significant issues with gynaecology care across the nation. 

Hospital waiting lists have grown exponentially, such that, according to the report, 763,694 patients are currently waiting months and even years with serious gynaecological conditions. To put this into perspective, this number of patients would fill Wembley Stadium 8 times over.

The effect of such issues with gynaecology waiting lists is that there may be delay in diagnosis of treatment of conditions, which require urgent action. The report outlines that 6 in 10 women surveyed reflected that their physical symptoms worsened whilst on a waiting list and 11% had gone on to have emergency intervention, suggesting that women are being left for so long that the symptoms become so severe that they need emergency care. This will in turn put pressure on the already overwhelmed and struggling emergency services, such as the ambulance service and A&E.  

These delays have a knock-on effect on the number of potential claims for medical negligence, with increasing numbers of claims being brought. These can include claims in respect of delayed diagnosis of gynaecological cancer, which can have devastating and even fatal consequences if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, as well as other serious gynaecological injuries, such as: 

• Infertility  

• Additional/unnecessary operations 

• Bowel damage  

• Bladder damage  

Data has been released in respect of the number of claims and compensation paid out in respect of various NHS trusts; across the country, over 1,500 gynaecological medical negligence claims were settled with compensation approaching a staggering £150 million paid out between 2019 and 2024.

Locally to Williamsons Solicitors, the highest statistics are from the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which includes the Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital. This Trust has paid out more than £1.6 million in compensation for gynaecology medical negligence claims alone in the last five years. The total compensation paid reflects the settlement of 23 claims for medical negligence related to gynaecology. 

If you have suffered gynaecological injury which you think may be due to negligence, whether in the Hull area or anywhere in the country, please contact our Medical Negligence Department on 01482 323697 to discuss how we can help. Our team has significant experience in dealing with a wealth of gynaecological claims and pride ourselves on a sensitive and empathetic approach when supporting clients through the process of bringing a claim.