‘I’m not being listened to’ – new health plan launched as women say they are still ignored
A hairdresser’s struggle highlights ongoing challenges in women’s healthcare
Zoe Trafford, a hairdresser in Liverpool, has spent years being dismissed by medical professionals. Her experience with endometriosis, a condition marked by intense pain and heavy bleeding, began in her teenage years. For years, doctors labeled her symptoms as “just bad periods,” despite her persistent discomfort. She first shared her story with the BBC in 2022, when the Conservative government unveiled a women’s health strategy for England.
“They assured me it was merely a typical issue,” Zoe recalled. “But it’s not normal – I don’t think being in pain is normal.”
The strategy aimed to “comprehensively enhance” how the health system engages with women and girls, with a focus on improving care outcomes. Now, four years later, a Labour administration has revised the plan. Yet Zoe’s situation has deteriorated. She recently underwent major surgery, losing her womb and part of her bowel, and now relies on a tube to manage her bladder. “I’m still not being heard,” she says. “I’ve had the surgery, but complications keep escalating.”
Zoe’s career as a hairdresser has ended due to the relentless pain of standing for long periods. Meanwhile, the NHS faces mounting criticism for its failure to address women’s concerns. Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged this, stating some women feel like “second class citizens” whose pain is treated as an inconvenience.
“It’s clear the system is failing women,” Streeting added.
BBC analysis reveals the number of women awaiting gynaecological procedures in England has more than doubled since February 2020, reaching over half a million (565,000) by January 2026. While waiting lists for other treatments have risen, the increase has been less dramatic (58%). The updated strategy introduces new measures, including a “patient power payment” initiative. This scheme allows women to provide feedback on their care experiences, with funding tied to their input. Gynaecology will be the first area tested, with potential expansion to other conditions.
The plan also includes a streamlined referral system to reduce delays and a new standard for pain management during invasive procedures. Dr. Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, praised the strategy but emphasized the “deeply concerning” state of women’s healthcare. “Embedding Women’s Health Hubs within the neighbourhood model could offer critical support,” she suggested.
However, the Royal Osteoporosis Society expressed skepticism, noting the absence of a national plan for specialist services despite earlier promises. Dr. Sarah Jarvis, a GP and society ambassador, warned that “2,000 lives are at risk each year without a clear plan.” Emma Cox of Endometriosis UK echoed this, calling for a “clear roadmap” to ensure timely diagnoses, which currently take over nine years on average.
The Scottish government has also taken steps, releasing phase two of its women’s health plan since 2021. Wales followed suit in 2024 with its own initiative to “close the gender health gap by proactively addressing disparities.” Yet, as Zoe’s story shows, the battle for recognition and effective care continues.
