Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that there is effective counselling for women ahead of hysteroscopy procedures; and discuss with medical professionals the potential merits of ensuring that women are offered anaesthetics to address pain during that procedure.

NHS England are clear that all doctors or nurses carrying out hysteroscopies must make sure women are listened to before, during and after their procedure. The National Health Service website advises women that they can speak to the doctor or nurse before having the procedure about what to expect, and to ask them about pain relief options, including the option of local or general anaesthetic.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is updating their best practice in outpatient hysteroscopy guidelines, due to be published in 2023. RCOG is also producing a good practice paper on pain relief and informed decision-making for outpatient hysteroscopy procedures, due to be published in early 2023. We encourage healthcare professionals to refer to these publications.