Three Years On, Women’s Health Strategy Falls Short As 580,000 Still Waiting for Care

Three years after the launch of The Women’s Health Strategy for England, new data reveals that many of its key goals remain out of reach - with over half a million women still waiting for care and stark racial disparities in maternal health persisting.

The findings come from a new report released by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), titled A Work in Progress, which assesses the progress of the 10-year health strategy first introduced in 2022. The document paints a mixed picture: while there have been notable improvements in access to services, fundamental challenges continue to affect the lives of women across the country.

Waiting Lists Remain Stagnant

More than 580,000 women in England are currently on waiting lists for menstrual or gynaecological care - a figure that has barely shifted since 2024, when it stood at 592,000. The backlog remains one of the clearest signs that systemic issues in women's health are far from resolved.

Racial Gaps in Maternal Mortality

The report also highlights persistent racial inequalities. Black women remain two to three times more likely to die during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth compared to their white counterparts. Despite broader reforms in maternity care being undertaken through a separate national review, RCOG argues that the Women's Health Strategy must also prioritise these disparities directly.

Bright Spots: Health Hubs and Research

Among the more promising developments is the continued rollout of women’s health hubs — local centres designed to streamline services by integrating sexual, reproductive, and general healthcare under one roof. These hubs have been identified as one of the Strategy’s key successes so far.

Additionally, the launch of a regular reproductive health survey has helped build a clearer picture of women’s experiences, although the report warns that women are still vastly underrepresented in medical research and clinical trials.

IVF Access Under Pressure

Progress has also been made in expanding access to fertility treatment. However, England still lags behind the rest of the UK, with only 24% of IVF cycles funded by the NHS in 2023. RCOG warns that financial pressures may lead to further restrictions on treatment in some regions.

Gaps in Contraceptive and Abortion Access

Policy changes in recent years have improved access to oral contraception through pharmacies and introduced commitments to make emergency contraception freely available. But for many - especially those in deprived or racially marginalised communities - access to long-acting contraceptives like IUDs remains limited.

The report also raises concerns about abortion access, noting that some women are still forced to travel long distances to receive care. However, the introduction of Safe Access Zones outside clinics, aimed at preventing harassment and intimidation, is viewed as a critical step forward.

Call for a Strategy Refresh

The RCOG is urging the government to revisit and revise the original Women’s Health Strategy. It recommends clearer commitments to tackling gynaecological cancers, improving cervical screening rates - which remain stuck at 69% - and investing in public health campaigns that support early diagnosis and better outcomes for all women.

Sexual and reproductive health, notably under-emphasised in the original plan, must also become a central pillar of any revised approach, the report concludes.

Looking Ahead

While the Strategy has laid important groundwork, RCOG’s message is clear: without renewed political will, investment, and a broader commitment to equity, many women will continue to be left behind.

“This is a moment to be bold,” the report states. “To centre women’s voices, and to build a healthcare system that serves them - not just in principle, but in practice.”