AQW 39613/22-27


Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley


Tabled Date: 02/02/2026
Answered On Date: 23/02/2026
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any action being taken to reduce gynaecological appointments and surgeries, in each Health and Social Care Trust.


Answer:
Significant work is underway across the health and social care system to reduce waiting times for gynaecology outpatient appointments and surgery, and to standardise and strengthen pathways for gynaecology conditions in every Trust.
Most referrals begin in primary care, and new pathways reflect this. Where patients cannot be managed by their GP, they may be referred to the Gynaecology Enhanced Primary Care Service or to secondary care. Primary and secondary care teams are working jointly to ensure patients are seen in the right place, at the right time, by the right professional.
The Enhanced Primary Care Service is supporting this by managing pessary fitting, HRT, heavy menstrual bleeding and contraception locally. By 30 September 2025, it had delivered over 2,100 appointments. When fully operational, it is expected to manage around 6,000 patient contacts per year.
In secondary care, Trusts are implementing action plans, including Getting it Right (GIRFT) recommendations, to reduce long waits. Between April and December 2025, £3.9m of additional funding supported waiting list initiatives, clinical validation and onestop clinics. From October 2025 alone, there has been a 52% reduction in patients waiting over three years for an outpatient appointment and a 58% reduction for inpatient/day case waits. Further updates will be provided by March 2026.
A regional Gynaecology Provider Collaborative was established in February 2025. The Collaborative (Trusts and SPPG) are focused on standardising pathways and maximising capacity to tackle the longest waiting patients while developing a sustainable, regionally consistent service model in Gynaecology.
Additional funding through the Elective Care Framework is addressing service gaps, and work continues to improve pathways for women with gynaecological conditions. Some improvements will require investment; others can be delivered through modernisation. However, the current financial position does limit progress for nonurgent conditions such as endometriosis, unless clinically indicated.
I hope this is helpful.