Pioneering Women’s Health Hub Cuts Waiting Times by a Third

A pioneering women’s health hub in east London is transforming care for women by slashing waiting times and streamlining treatment — with new data showing a 33% drop in gynaecology waiting lists at The Royal London Hospital since its launch.

Based at Mile End Hospital, the Tower Hamlets Women’s Health Hub offers a joined-up approach to care, allowing patients to access GPs, gynaecologists, sexual and reproductive health doctors, physiotherapists and other specialists all under one roof.

This innovative model reduces the need for multiple appointments and unnecessary referrals.

Since opening its doors in December 2023, the hub has received over 3,000 referrals from across the borough. A single specialist team now reviews all referrals, ensuring women are quickly directed to the most appropriate care pathway — whether that’s treatment in the community, at the hub, or at The Royal London for more complex cases.

This targeted approach is already delivering results.The number of patients waiting for gynaecology treatment at The Royal London has dropped by a third, while the average wait time for an appointment has plummeted from 27 weeks to just 11 weeks — well below the NHS’s 18-week referral-to-treatment target.

“Our team of gynaecologists, sexual and reproductive health doctors, GPs, physiotherapists and other professionals work collaboratively, breaking down barriers to provide the right, patient-centred care,” said Dr Ishi Bains, co-clinical lead for the hub and a GP. “I am incredibly proud of the difference we’ve made in such a short period of time, and we will continue to work towards developing further improvements in the healthcare we provide.”

The hub is part of a broader push by NHS North East London to expand access to women’s health services across the region.

“We understand that many women across the country struggle to access the care they need to support their health and wellbeing. We’re determined to change that,” said Cate Onanda, Women’s Health Programme Manager for NHS North East London. “Tower Hamlets is one of many Women’s Health Hubs we’ve opened across northeast London to ensure women feel heard and can receive timely and effective treatment when they need it most.”

The success of the Tower Hamlets model has already drawn national attention. This week, Baroness Liz Sugg, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sexual and Reproductive Health, visited the hub to see its impact firsthand.

The hub reflects a growing commitment to delivering care that works with, not against, the realities of women’s lives — bringing much-needed change to a system that has historically underserved female patients.