The number of women waiting for a gynaecology appointment in the Thames Valley area has almost doubled since the pandemic, new data shows. 

A new report from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) shows 1,332 women per 100,000 people are awaiting appointments from the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board. 

This is almost double the 667 patients per 100,000 that were on the waiting list in 2019. 

Across England, 2,105 women per 100,000 are currently awaiting appointments, a 112 per cent increase from the 990 per 100,000 in September 2019. 

The RCOG surveyed over 2,000 affected women and over 300 healthcare professionals for the report.

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It found over three-quarters (76 per cent) of women waiting for care reported worsening mental health and over two-thirds (69 per cent) reported being unable to take part in daily activities including work.

It also found over 90 per cent of primary care professionals reported a severe impact on general practice surgeries due to longer waits for hospital gynaecology services.

RCOG president Dr Ranee Thakar, said: "Too many women are waiting too long with serious conditions that can devastate their lives.

"NHS staff are also deeply concerned and distressed that they do not have the necessary resources to deliver good care, affecting their own wellbeing."

Dr Thakar called on UK governments "to commit to long-term, sustained funding to address the systemic issues driving waiting lists" and deliver "an urgent support package for those currently on waiting lists".

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Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said while GPs play a key role in managing patients' conditions, the amount they can do is limited.

"Women’s health – including gynaecology – is a key part of the RCGP curriculum," she said.

"There is a lot of support we can and do offer but in many cases, the most appropriate course of action is to refer to specialist care and services – however access is patchy and waiting lists are far too long.

"Cutting waiting lists will benefit everyone across the NHS, particularly outpatients, and we need to see everything being done to make this possible."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Too many women are facing unacceptable waits for gynaecology treatment.

"This Government is overhauling women's healthcare and our 10 Year Health Plan, backed by a £22.6 billion increase in day-to-day health spending, will bring down waits in gynaecology so get women the support they need when they need it."