The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has responded to the Government’s Elective Reform Plan which launched today (Monday 6 January 2025).
President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Dr Ranee Thakar said:
“We are encouraged to see the Government’s commitment to improving elective performance, and welcome the ambitious targets set out in this plan. We particularly welcome the focus on gynaecology, given it is one of the most challenged specialities in elective care. With over 750,000 outstanding gynaecology appointments across the UK, we applaud any action from Government to clear this backlog and help women and girls live the best quality of life they can.
“We are pleased to see the focus on training for professionals and the acknowledgement that time is allocated appropriately in job planning. It is vital that as part of delivering this plan that professionals across all parts of the system are given the time to train so that they can deliver high quality, specialist and compassionate care. The RCOG’s 2024 ‘Waiting for a way forward’ report on the gynaecology care crisis highlighted these as some of the most critical issues impacting health professionals.
“We also welcome the commitment to put patients at the heart of care, with measures intended to improve communication and address health inequalities. Expanded use of digital technology is critical, but some people will require alternative support to access care, information and to understand the choices available to them, and existing health inequalities must not be exacerbated by an over-reliance on digital technology.
“Whilst this plan makes mention of innovative models to offer patients care closer to home – it fails to mention Women’s Health Hubs specifically. We implore the Government to commit to the national expansion of the Women’s Health Hubs model and the funding needed to make it a reality – to ensure all women, wherever they live, can access care and support to manage their health across their whole life course.
“We look forward to working with the Government to implement this plan – but hope to see much needed further commitments to improving women’s health set out in an updated Women's Health Strategy and within the NHS 10 Year Plan this year.”