Council backs urgent action on women’s health waiting lists across Northern Ireland

Local councillor Anna Henry proposed a motion this week calling for urgent action to tackle lengthy delays in diagnosis and treatment across Northern Ireland

Thousands of women living with chronic pain and prolonged uncertainty have moved back into sharp focus after Mid and East Antrim Borough Council formally recognised the growing crisis in gynaecology services during Endometriosis Awareness Month.

In a follow-up development to growing concern around women’s health waiting times, councillors backed a motion on Monday night, 30

March, calling for urgent action to tackle lengthy delays in diagnosis and treatment across Northern Ireland, while welcoming existing commitments from the Department of Health.

The issue, which has resonated strongly across the borough and beyond, centres on the impact of extended waits for women suffering with conditions including endometriosis, adenomyosis and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Motion highlights scale of women’s health pressures

The motion, proposed by Councillor Anna Henry and seconded by Councillor Angela Smyth, was brought before council amid ongoing concern over the pressure facing gynaecology services.

It stated:

“This Council, in endometriosis awareness month, notes with concern the growing crisis in gynaecology services in Mid and East Antrim and across Northern Ireland, which has left thousands of women waiting extended periods for diagnosis and treatment while

suffering serious pain.

“Council recognises that conditions such as Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and other gynae disorders can have profound impacts on physical health, mental wellbeing, employment and family life and that prolonged delays in diagnosis or treatment can significantly worsen outcomes for patients.

”Accordingly, this Council calls on the Minister of Health to:

1. Bring forward a clear plan to tackle the backlog in gynaecology waiting lists.

2. Increase investment in gynaecology services

3. Report publicly on progress in reducing waiting times for gynaecology services.

“This council agrees to write to the Minister of Health outlining these concerns and urging immediate action to address the crisis in women’s health services.”

The motion reflects mounting concern over how delays are affecting women’s physical health, mental wellbeing, employment and family life.

Councillor Barr welcomes focus on women’s health

Following the debate, Braid UUP Councillor Alan Barr said the issue reaches far beyond Mid and East Antrim and affects women across the Northern Trust area and the wider region.

He said:

“For years, women’s health has been left too far down the priority list, and last night’s motion rightly shone a light on an issue affecting thousands of women across our community with unacceptably long waits for gynaecology services. This is not just a local problem; women in the Northern Trust area face the same challenges.

“Behind every waiting list statistic are real women living with chronic pain, uncertainty and conditions that worsen over time. These delays impact their physical and mental wellbeing, their ability to work and their family lives. Left unaddressed, they can lead to more complex health problems and even greater pressure on the health service.”

Councillor Barr also pointed to what he described as a long-standing failure to properly prioritise women’s health.

“It goes without saying that women’s health has historically been under-prioritised. Too often symptoms have been dismissed or downplayed, and that has brought us to where we are today. Tackling waiting lists must go hand-in-hand with proper, sustained focus on women’s health across the entire system.”

Existing funding plan already in place

While the motion called for a clear plan from the Health Minister, Councillor Barr said work is already underway at regional level.

“I want to commend Minister Mike Nesbitt for the clear priority he has placed on this issue. While last night’s motion called for a plan, a structured and fully funded plan is already in place.

“Through the Elective Care Framework Implementation and Funding Plan, £3.5 million has been ring-fenced specifically for gynaecology, targeting more than 4,000 additional assessments and 900 treatments. This sits within ambitious, measurable targets; a 40% reduction in waiting lists by March 2027 and further significant cuts thereafter providing both a clear pathway and real accountability.”

He said the work is being supported through regional reform structures designed to improve coordination between health trusts.

“This work is being guided by the Getting It Right First Time report for gynaecology, which sets out how services can be improved across all Trusts through better coordination and regional collaboration. The new Regional HSC Gynaecology Services Forum is already driving forward these improvements at both local and regional level.”

Pressure remains on workforce and hospital capacity

Despite the funding commitment, Councillor Barr warned that financial investment alone will not solve the crisis.

“However, we must be honest: this is not only a funding issue. Workforce pressures, theatre capacity and diagnostics must all be addressed. That is why a truly regional approach making the best use of resources right across Northern Ireland will be essential.

“I fully support the direction set by the Minister. The focus now must be on maintaining momentum and delivering real, tangible improvements for the women who depend on these services.”

The council’s decision to formally write to the Health Minister adds further political pressure for visible progress on waiting times, as women across Northern Ireland continue to seek faster access to diagnosis and treatment.

Stormont to be lit in yellow for Endometriosis Awareness Month

In a further show of support for women affected by gynaecological conditions, Stormont is due to be illuminated in yellow tonight, Tuesday 31 March, to mark the close of Endometriosis Awareness Month.

TUV Bannside councillor Anna Henry said the gesture is intended as a visible sign of solidarity with women across Northern Ireland who are living with chronic pain and long waits for diagnosis and treatment.

“This evening, to mark the conclusion of Endometriosis Awareness Month, Stormont will be illuminated in yellow from sunset.

“This gesture stands in solidarity with the thousands of women across Northern Ireland currently living with gynaecological conditions. While symbolic, it sends a clear message: you are not alone, and your experiences matter.

“I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Timothy Gaston for bringing this initiative forward, and to thank Cara Hunter and Harry Harvey for supporting the proposal to light Stormont in recognition of this important issue.”

The illumination brings a symbolic close to a month in which pressure has continued to build around waiting times, treatment delays and wider concerns surrounding women’s health services across Northern Ireland.

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At a glance

• Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has backed a motion highlighting the crisis in gynaecology waiting lists.

• The motion was proposed by Councillor Anna Henry and seconded by Councillor Angela Smyth.

• It calls on the Health Minister to tackle waiting list backlogs, increase investment and publicly report progress.

• Councillor Alan Barr said the issue affects thousands of women across the Northern Trust area and wider Northern Ireland.

• He highlighted £3.5 million already ring-fenced for gynaecology services.

• The funding aims to deliver more than 4,000 additional assessments and 900 treatments.

• Targets include a 40% reduction in waiting lists by March 2027.

• Workforce pressures, theatre capacity and diagnostic delays remain key challenges.