A BBC report in November 2024 shows that gynaecology waiting lists have more than doubled since 2020 with approximately 630,000 people waiting for care. Molly Lee has experienced both NHS waiting lists and private healthcare – which one is better?
Let’s be real, the NHS hasn’t recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic. Waiting lists are getting longer and longer. People, including myself, are getting more and more fed up. It feels hopeless when you don’t hear for months about an appointment. Once you get an appointment, you don’t always get the best care.
Private healthcare is the other option, but grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence. Especially when it comes to gynaecological conditions and female health.
Overall, being a female with gynaecological conditions is a horrible position to be in. I’ve tried both NHS and private healthcare – this is my experience.
I first went to the NHS for my health concerns in mid-2020, at the age of 16. Every day I was in agony with heavy periods, excruciating cramps and pain – I needed help, and I needed it quickly.
The GP told me I was too young to be referred to gynaecology through the NHS. This is because my body was still developing, and my periods were (supposedly) settling. I was put on the contraceptive pill and to keep my fingers crossed.
Long story short, it didn’t work. Every week I would ring my doctors and cry on the phone, begging to be taken seriously. Despite my young age, the pain I was feeling was real and strong painkillers wouldn’t resolve it.
After months I was finally referred to NHS gynaecology.
The relief of finally being referred was massive, but this was short-lived. I had a letter through the door with an appointment date. I received this letter late in 2021. The appointment was for 2023 – a two-year wait.
In that moment, sat on the sofa in my home, looking down at the date, I felt hopeless. I was questioning everything. Was the pain I was experiencing real? Do they even believe me? What’s the point?
Thankfully I had the support of my parents who helped me advocate for myself. I was constantly bothering the gynaecology secretary for an earlier appointment, pleading that I needed help immediately.
Low and behold it miraculously worked. But the gynaecologist I saw didn’t believe me. Two ultrasounds, invasive swabs and several cries later, I was sat in her office being told that it’s just something I must live with. That she could do a laparoscopy surgery to see if I had endometriosis, but she doubted that she would find anything.
In my true stubborn Taurus Lee nature, I demanded surgery. And I had a nice told-you-so moment too. In November of 2023, they found endometriosis tissue. I had answers but no solution. I was simply discharged from gynaecology, told adios and good luck.
Now, you must be thinking, surely private is better? Well no. But I appreciate that I have experienced it.
The pains were getting worse – it hurt to walk, sit, breathe. I’d had enough, so when my dad’s new job offered Bupa Insurance, I jumped at the opportunity (not literally because it would hurt too much).
But did I notice a difference between public and private gynaecology?
Yes, I was seen a lot quicker, had an in-depth MRI scan and had the results. But I was still sat in a gynaecologist’s office, at the age of 20, being told there was nothing more they could do for me.
I’m too young. I’m a female who hasn’t had kids yet but would like to in the future. My ovaries and uterus are attacked by endometriosis but there’s no way to win. I’ve just been left to my own devices.
It’s tough. It’s s#!t. It’s real life for many women across the UK.
It doesn’t matter if you get free or paid healthcare. Healthcare for gynaecological and female health issues is severely lacking – it’s literally called medical misogyny.
For those who can relate, I’m here for you, I get you and I’m with you. Maybe one day, we will be listened to and helped.
