A Swindon hospital has joined forces with parenting website Mumsnet to help thousands of women across Wiltshire to get the answers they desperately need for a range of gynaecology-related problems. 

The partnership between Ridgeway Hospital and the online group launched in July and aims to provide women with practical and expert advice on how to access the treatment they need, whether this means a new diagnosis or the management of a pre-existing condition.  

Historically the diagnosis and treatment of gynaecological conditions have been challenging, with women often left waiting years for a diagnosis, or in some cases never receiving a clear answer.

Recent data published by the Independent Healthcare Providers Network and The Patients Association in a report looking at patient choice showed that in most areas of the UK, women were waiting over 6 months to see a specialist. 

The government has recently announced a new strategy to target failings in women’s health care with measures such as mandatory gynaecology modules for trainee doctors but while this is a positive step, it doesn’t help the problems millions of women are facing right now.

Dr Sujata Gupta, a consultant gynaecologist from Circle Health Group, said: “Thousands of women in Wiltshire struggle with the effects of a gynaecological condition and yet often go undiagnosed for years. 

"The greatest challenge is often finding the right information or the feeling of embarrassment that comes suffering with this type of condition. This has a dramatic impact on how women engage with healthcare professionals and ultimately prevents them from asking the appropriate questions and getting the diagnosis they need.” 

Swindon Advertiser: Ridgeway Hospital's Dr Sujata Gupta has more than 15 years’ experience in gynaecologyRidgeway Hospital's Dr Sujata Gupta has more than 15 years’ experience in gynaecology (Image: Circle Health Group)

Justine Roberts, Mumsnet founder and CEO, added that the site's users often brought up their struggles when it came to getting the healthcare they needed.   

“Mumsnet users have frequently told us about their struggles to access vital women’s health services, often with serious consequences. We’re glad that this partnership will enable women to seek expert advice via Mumsnet, and empower our users to advocate for themselves, while we continue to campaign to tackle decades of entrenched inequality in healthcare," she added.

Also commenting on the campaign, Adam Busby, acting group clinical director at Circle Health Group, said: 

“Partnering with Mumsnet gives us the opportunity to share our specialist expertise with women in a way that they can engage with safely and in the confidence that they will be listened to. The more we share about gynaecology and how to best reach a diagnosis the better chance we have of ending this damaging stigma.”