Last week (12 February), NHS England published its latest elective recovery data covering December 2025. Overall, elective waiting lists have fallen but for gynaecology the latest data shows that in England:
- The total gynaecology waiting list stands at 570,339 and is within the top five highest waiting lists across elective specialties.
- Waiting lists for gynaecology have risen this month from 563,359 to 570,739.
- Gynaecology referrals accounted for 7% of all referrals seen across all elective specialties.
- 57% of women are being seen within the Government’s 18-week standard for gynaecology, but that is 4 percentage points lower than the average seen across elective recovery.
Dr Alison Wright, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said:
“Whilst it is pleasing to see the NHS reducing the overall waiting list to its lowest level since February 2023, the situation in gynaecology remains deeply concerning, both for the women waiting for care and for our doctors working hard to provide that care.
“Over 570,000 women in England are still waiting for gynaecological care, and this number has further increased in the last month.
Thousands of women suffer unnecessarily, for years, with debilitating symptoms that affect their health, work and daily lives and our doctors are facing continued pressures, with capacity being stretched at every stage.
“We very much welcome progress across the elective recovery programme, however, this cannot be considered a success whilst 51% of the population (women) continues to face some of the longest waits in the NHS.
By prioritising women’s health, we can make genuine improvements, and ensure that women are able to access the high-quality gynaecological care, they need and deserve."
The RCOG is calling on the Government to deliver urgent support for women waiting now, protect and expand Women’s Health Hubs so care is available closer to home, and using the renewal of the Women’s Health Strategy and 10-Year Health Plan to fix the underlying capacity issues driving long waits.
- Read our New Year: Still waiting for a way forward report here: New Year: Still Waiting For A Way Forward