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Managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) poses challenges for countless women across the United Kingdom. As a widespread endocrine disorder, PCOS impacts approximately 1 in 10 women of ‘reproductive age’, which refers to the ages of 15 – 44. Despite its commonality, it is still frequently both misdiagnosed and undiagnosed.
In our PCOS Awareness Survey conducted last year, we found that 2 in 3 women had waited over a year for their formal diagnosis. Of those between the ages of 35 and 44, almost half had waited for three or more years for their symptoms to be correctly diagnosed as PCOS, highlighting the urgent need for more awareness, and better access to care.
Access to women’s healthcare in the UK has been a growing topic of concern in recent years. According to a report by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, nearly nine in ten (89%) healthcare professionals believe that gynaecology waiting times impact patients’ quality of life.
In light of these substantial challenges, we at Fertility Family have conducted research into understanding which UK towns and cities are best equipped to support women with endocrine disorders such as PCOS, by focusing on key factors that impact PCOS management, including the availability of fertility clinics, access to registered endocrinologists, and access to local GP surgeries.
Where in the UK do women have the best access to PCOS healthcare?
Bolton: 89.35/100
- 13 fertility clinics within 25 miles
- 4 clinics per 100,000 residents
- 39 GP surgeries within 2 miles of the city centre
- 8 registered endocrinologists within 10 miles
Bolton, Greater Manchester, has placed first in our study as the leading area in the UK for accessible healthcare relating to PCOS. The town boasts brilliant access to medical services, with 13 fertility clinics within a 25-mile radius of the city centre, which translates to 4 clinics for every 100,000 individuals.
Regarding GP surgery access, Bolton achieved an impressive score of 24.07 out of 25 within the accessibility index. The area reports 39 GP surgeries within just 2 miles, placing them third in this category and surpassed only by London and Leicester.
Residents in Bolton also have good access to registered endocrinologists, earning a score of 22.69 out of 25, with 10 endocrinologists available within a 10-mile radius. Overall, Bolton’s index score for the accessibility of PCOS care stands at an impressive 89.35 out of 100.
Warrington: 82.87/100
- 18 fertility clinics within 25 miles
- 11 clinics per 100,000 residents
- 21 GP surgeries within 2 miles of the city centre
- 5 registered endocrinologists within 10 miles
Placing second within our index, Warrington stands out as a prime location for accessible PCOS care, achieving an overall index score of 82.87 out of 100.
The town features 18 fertility clinics within a 25-mile radius, equating to 11 clinics for every 100,000 residents. There are also 21 GP surgeries situated within 2 miles of the city centre, providing easier access to primary healthcare services for individuals with PCOS. For specialised care, Warrington is home to 5 registered endocrinologists within a 10-mile range.
Wigan: 81.02/100
- 18 fertility clinics within 25 miles
- 7 clinics per 100,000 residents
- 17 GP surgeries within 2 miles of the city centre
- 8 registered endocrinologists within 10 miles
Wigan achieves an impressive score of 81.02 out of 100, establishing it as a significant hub for PCOS healthcare services.
According to our research, Wigan is home to 18 fertility clinics located within a 25-mile radius, which is equal to 7 clinics for every 100,000 residents. This, combined with the convenience of 17 GP surgeries situated within just 2 miles of the town centre, facilitates valuable access to primary healthcare.
On top of that, Wigan is home to 8 registered endocrinologists within a 10-mile radius, further strengthening its capabilities in providing specialised care for those with PCOS.
London: 79.63/100
- 70 fertility clinics within 25 miles
- 0.84 clinics per 100,000 residents
- 47 GP surgeries within 2 miles of the city centre
- 34 registered endocrinologists within 10 miles
London, although having the largest population in the UK, places 4th in our study with a score of 79.63 out of 100. The capital achieved top ratings in several critical areas we assessed, receiving the highest scores among all locations for access to fertility clinics, GP surgeries, and endocrinologists.
The city features 70 GP clinics within a 25-mile radius, 47 GP surgeries within 2 miles of the city centre, and 34 registered endocrinologists within a 10-mile radius. At first glance, London ranks the highest all-round. However, despite this wealth of facilities, London sees a low score for fertility clinics per capita, with only 0.84 clinics for every 100,000 residents.
This suggests that even though resources are plentiful, individuals with PCOS may encounter difficulties in locating a fertility clinic due to the limited number when compared to the overall population.
Leicester: 72.69/100
- 10 fertility clinics within 25 miles
- 3 clinics per 100,000 residents
- 44 GP surgeries within 2 miles of the city centre
- 3 registered endocrinologists within 10 miles
Leicester scored 72.69 out of 100 for its access to PCOS care, particularly excelling in GP surgery accessibility.
The city scored 24.54 out of 25 for this section, with 44 surgeries within a 2-mile radius (just three fewer than London, despite having a much smaller population).
Leicester also fared well in the availability of fertility clinics, scoring 20.37 out of 25 with 10 clinics located within a 25-mile range. However, the overall score was impacted by a lower fertility clinic ratio per capita, at 3 per 100,000 residents, and limited access to endocrinologists, with only three registered within a 10-mile radius.
Where in the UK do women have the most limited access to PCOS healthcare?
Peterborough: 10.19/100
- 1 fertility clinic within 25 miles
- 0.73 clinics per 100,000 residents
- 13 GP surgeries within 2 miles of the city centre
- 1 registered endocrinologist within 10 miles
The results of the study show that Peterborough faces significant challenges concerning healthcare access for women with PCOS, ranking as the most underserviced area in the UK for those with the condition.
With only one fertility clinic within a 25-mile radius, many women will be forced to travel longer distances to receive specialised reproductive care. Due to the minimal services available, waiting lists will inevitably be longer within this area.
Alongside a lack of fertility clinics, there is also only one registered endocrinologist serving a population of over 136,900 people, which would suggest that receiving specialist hormonal care crucial for PCOS management is less likely as a resident in this city.
Despite having a larger number of GP surgeries, with 13 available within 2 miles of the city centre, the combination of limited fertility clinics, scarce GP support, and a shortage of endocrinologists in Peterborough, many women may be left waiting for long periods, or without the care they need.
Milton Keynes: 12.04/100
- 2 fertility clinics within 25 miles
- 1 clinic per 100,000 residents
- 8 GP surgeries within 2 miles of the city centre
- 1 registered endocrinologist within 10 miles
Milton Keynes saw a population increase of 15.3% between 2011 and 2021, higher than the overall increase for England at 6.6%. Despite being a growing urban area in the UK, with the city council predicting a population increase of at least a third by 2050, the city in Buckinghamshire has ranked as one of the worst areas in the UK for access to PCOS healthcare.
Milton Keynes has only two fertility clinics serving the entire area which is equivalent to 1 clinic per 100,000 residents. This is putting additional pressure on these facilities due to the demand for services which is equating to longer waiting times for those attempting to access care.
Plymouth: 15.28/100
- 1 fertility clinic within 25 miles
- 0.39 clinics per 100,000 residents
- 19 GP surgeries within 2 miles of the city centre
- 1 registered endocrinologist within 10 miles
Plymouth, the largest city on England’s south coast, may be known for its sights and coastal attractions, but when it comes to healthcare for women with PCOS, the situation is far from idyllic.
The city has just one fertility clinic within 25 miles, and for women seeking reproductive support, this limited access can feel particularly isolating, as many are left with few alternatives. Whilst GP surgeries in Plymouth are numerous, endocrinology care is especially problematic, as the city has only one recorded registered endocrinologist. The high demand for these specialists can result in extended wait times for appointments, which can exacerbate the symptoms of untreated PCOS.
For women dealing with PCOS, manoeuvring through the healthcare system can be a daunting experience; especially when confronted with scarce access to essential resources.
Newcastle is the UK city searching the most for PCOS advice
PCOS is an increasingly searched topic in cities across the UK. Following an analysis of Google searches, we have found that this is particularly true for residents in Newcastle upon Tyne, Bristol, and Manchester.
Newcastle – 192 PCOS searches per 100,000 people
In Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, there were approximately 192 searches for PCOS-related queries made during the past month, indicating a growing awareness and concern for women’s health issues in the area. As healthcare resources have become increasingly strained, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic, a rising number of individuals are seeking online resources for support and information about conditions such as PCOS.
While Newcastle didn’t rank within the ‘most accessible’ areas for those trying to access PCOS-related healthcare, its position as the top-searching city for PCOS-related queries highlights the importance of understanding and addressing the needs of those living with the condition, alongside the prevalence of holistic approaches.
Bristol – 129 PCOS searches per 100,000 people
Bristol places second with a rate of 129 PCOS queries searched on Google per 100,000 individuals across the last month. Significant delays in diagnostic services and the strain of NHS backlogs have prompted many residents to turn to online resources for information on conditions such as PCOS.
Interestingly, Bristol ranked 10th in our index when it came to access to PCOS healthcare, suggesting that the area has heightened awareness of the condition, with residents proactively seeking out the latest information, treatment options, and support services.
Manchester – 117 PCOS searches per 100,000 people
Manchester, which ranked 6th in the PCOS accessibility index, has also secured the third spot for the highest volume of PCOS-focused searches within the UK, with 117 searches per 100,000 people over a month.
Manchester Metropolitan University has been known as being the exclusive NHS partner to train reproductive scientists since 2013, with the healthcare system implementing reforms aimed at improving overall patient care, including those with reproductive health issues.
Where to find PCOS support online
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Methodology
Overall PCOS Healthcare Accessibility Score is calculated using four equally weighted factors, each scored out of 25 points for a total possible score of 100. A higher score indicates better accessibility to PCOS-related healthcare.
Fertility Clinics within 25 miles (25 points): More clinics correlate with better access to specialised reproductive care. Scoring: Highest number of clinics = 25 points, lowest = 0 points, others scaled proportionally.
Clinics per capita (25 points): A better ratio of clinics to population indicates easier access to specialised care. Scoring: Best ratio (fewest residents per clinic) = 25 points, worst ratio = 0 points, others scaled proportionally.
GP Surgeries within 2 miles (25 points): More GP surgeries suggest better access to primary care and initial PCOS management. Scoring: Highest number of surgeries = 25 points, lowest = 0 points, others scaled proportionally.
Endocrinologists within 10 miles (25 points): More endocrinologists indicate better access to specialised hormonal care. Scoring: Highest number of endocrinologists = 25 points, lowest = 0 points, others scaled proportionally.
