To ask the Minister of Health (i) for his assessment of current women’s health services, particularly gynaecology; and (ii) to detail plans he has to deal with lengthy waiting lists and times for these services.

As I outlined during a debate on the development of a Women’s Health Strategy on 13 February, current waiting lists are simply unacceptable.

I also advised that my Department is in the process of developing a short-to-medium-term women’s health action plan that builds on ongoing work and identifies the priority actions across women’s health services that can be taken forward within our current budget, as well as those actions for which additional investment will be required.

In addition, I want to prioritise implementation of the recently published Gitting it Right First Time (GIRFT) Gynaecology report. My Department has already written to all Trusts about the report and will engage with relevant stakeholders to progress implementation as far as possible within the available resources.

A copy of the Hansard report on the debate can be found at Official Reports (niassembly.gov.uk)