MSP David Green demands action as women wait years for gynaecological pain management

Far north MSP David Green has demanded answers from the Scottish Government after two female constituents were told to wait years for gynaecological pain management treatment.

One constituent, a retired nurse with 50 years of service, was referred by NHS Highland to a board that was not accepting Highland patients this year. When eventually seen in Aberdeen she was told her operation would be a four year wait.

She described the experience as a ‘very raw deal’ compared to the previous experience she had in Caithness General Hospital. 

Another constituent told Mr Green that she was referred this spring to Raigmore Hospital with abnormal uterine bleeding and was told she wouldn’t be seen for up to a year. 

The Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP asked Health Secretary Angela Constance who despite agreeing with Mr Green that the delays to treatment are “utterly unacceptable” did not commit to any action.

Mr Green’s questions importantly hold the government to account at a time when patients still waiting for gynaecology in NHS Highland have waited a median of 18 weeks- 50% longer than the national 12-week standard.

Centralisation of services in Inverness and even locating them beyond the NHS Highland area has been a major concern of locals across the region.

A local women’s health campaigner who pays close attention to this issue, raised that as well as wait times, the access to BGSE centres, complex condition training and necessary pain medication is stretched - compounding the experience of isolation for women.

The downgrading of consultant-led Caithness maternity launched a trend that saw the loss not just of that service, but others related to women’s health in the county.

He said in General Questions:

“My constituent was told that she would have to wait four years for an operation. She described that as a "very raw deal" compared with the care that she had previously received at Caithness General Hospital."

“Another constituent, who was referred to Raigmore, was only told that she would have to wait a year for an initial consultation."

“Those waits are unacceptable. What steps will the Cabinet Secretary take to improve access to pain management for patients who are waiting for treatment and to strengthen skills in recognising complex gynaecological conditions so that cases are identified earlier?”

Ms Constance replied:

“Phase 2 of the women's Health Plan will transform gynaecology services. A national plan for gynaecology will be published early in 2027 and will explain how women and girls will receive timely, high-quality and effective care closer to home."

“Redesigned services will reduce inequalities in access and outcomes, including for those in rural and island areas. Last year, NHS Highland benefited from part of the additional £13 million allocated to target long waits for gynaecology.”

Addressing the points about Green’s two constituents, the cabinet secretary said:

“I am sorry to hear about the experiences of the member's constituents. He is correct to say that long waits are utterly unacceptable.

“We have seen long waits for gynaecology services decrease across Scotland. For example, long waits in outpatients are down by 70 per cent year on year, and in-patient day care is down 47 per cent long waits year to year. What we have not seen is that improvement in NHS Highland."

“I assure him that I am acutely aware of that. Part of our rationale for NHS simplification is to ensure that we can share capacity, resources and skills and, by removing boundaries, create more equity of access. He raises important issues in relation to pain management."

“It is therefore crucial that, with any patient care, first and foremost women are listened to and that that is dealt with at a clinical level.”

David Green, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP said after the debate:

“As the Cabinet Secretary reflected on - wait times have not improved in the Highlands. That means rural women are facing a higher burden and longer period of time waiting for care than the rest of women in Scotland.

 “Pointing to health board reform and all the uncertainty that comes with that will not help these issues to be addressed.”

The constituent who previously raised concerns with being transferred outside of NHS Highland said after watching General Questions:

    “It's difficult to get on with your life when dealing with this issue”.
 

ENDS