This spring, I was proud to be part of a truly extraordinary moment in women’s health: a weekend of high-intensity, high-impact gynaecological surgery at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Over the course of two days, our dedicated team performed a record-breaking 24 complex endometriosis procedures, transforming what would normally take nearly two months into a single weekend of focused, coordinated care.

For context, our team typically carries out three major endometriosis surgeries per week. But using the High Intensity Theatre (HIT) list approach — supported by robotic-assisted surgery and an incredible multidisciplinary team — we were able to scale this up dramatically without compromising care. In fact, 23 of the 24 women we operated on were discharged within 24 hours, a testament to the power of minimally invasive surgery, enhanced recovery pathways, and sheer teamwork.

As a consultant gynaecologist specialising in advanced endometriosis and robotic-assisted surgery, I’ve seen first-hand how this condition can devastate lives — physically, emotionally, and socially. Many of the women we cared for during this weekend had spent years navigating pain, infertility, and misdiagnosis. To be able to offer them expert care, efficiently and compassionately, was a privilege.

The key to the weekend’s success was collaboration. From surgeons and anaesthetists to nurses, care coordinators, and theatre staff — every person was part of a carefully choreographed operation designed to maximise patient benefit. We operated in two parallel theatres using da Vinci robotic systems, ensuring surgical precision and faster recovery for each patient. It was intensive, but also inspiring.

The HIT list model, already trialled in other specialities like prostate cancer, shows how innovation in scheduling and theatre logistics can make a real dent in the surgical backlog — and ensure that complex gynaecological care isn’t left behind. When supported by experienced clinicians and the right infrastructure, this model has the potential to be scaled and sustained. And crucially, it shows what can happen when gynaecology is prioritised.

Whether in the NHS or in private practice, the goal is always the same: to restore dignity, agency, and wellbeing for every patient who walks through our doors.

I hope this is just the beginning. With continued investment, innovation, and the leadership of passionate teams, we can reimagine the way gynaecological surgery is delivered — and make delays, dismissals, and despair a thing of the past.

To every woman living with endometriosis: help is here, and progress is happening.

With care

Dr Manou Manpreet Kaur