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

Zoe Trafford, a hairdresser from Liverpool, often had to serve as an agony aunt for her clients. But she recalls a moment when the roles flipped—her customers became the ones listening to her struggles. Zoe has lived with endometriosis, a condition marked by intense pain and heavy bleeding, since her teenage years. For years, medical professionals dismissed her symptoms as merely bad periods, a label she challenged.

She shared her story with the BBC in 2022, shortly after the Conservative government unveiled a women’s health strategy for England. At the time, the plan aimed to “radically improve” how the health system engaged with and supported women. However, Zoe’s experience highlights the ongoing issues: “You’ll be alright, it’s just normal,” she recalled doctors telling her. “But it’s not normal—I don’t think being in pain is normal.”

Four years later, the Labour government has introduced an updated version of the strategy. For Zoe, the changes haven’t brought relief. She now requires regular bladder drainage via a small tube and has undergone surgery to remove her womb and part of her bowel. Despite the procedure, her condition has worsened, and she feels her concerns remain unaddressed. “I’m not being listened to,” she said. “I’ve had the surgery, but I’m facing more complications each day.”

Such experiences underscore a broader critique of the NHS: women’s voices are frequently overlooked. Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged this, stating that some women feel like “second class citizens” when their pain is treated as an inconvenience. “It’s clear the system is failing women,” he added, emphasizing the need for urgent reform.

The updated strategy includes a “patient power payment” initiative, which will let women report their treatment experiences. Based on these reports, funds will be directed to areas needing improvement, with providers facing penalties for poor performance. Gynaecology is the first area to test this program, but it could expand to other health conditions in the future. Additional measures include a streamlined referral process to reduce waiting times and a new standard for pain management in gynaecological procedures.

Dr. Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, praised the strategy but noted the situation remains dire. “With over 565,000 women still waiting for care, there’s a clear chance to integrate Women’s Health Hubs into the local health model,” she said. Meanwhile, the Royal Osteoporosis Society raised concerns, pointing out the absence of a national plan for specialist services in osteoporosis—a condition affecting half of women over 50 and linked to hip fractures.

Dr. Sarah Jarvis, a GP and advocate for the Royal Osteoporosis Society, warned that without a clear plan, around 2,000 lives are lost annually. Emma Cox of Endometriosis UK echoed this, stressing that diagnosis delays of more than nine years are “totally unacceptable.” She called for a detailed roadmap to ensure resources are allocated effectively.

Other nations have taken similar steps. Scotland recently launched phase two of its women’s health plan, introduced in 2021, which focuses on transforming services to ensure timely care. Wales also unveiled a Women’s Health Plan in 2024, aiming to “close the gender health gap by pro”