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Written question asked by Baroness Boycott (Crossbench) on Thursday, 25 June 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 July 2026. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Monday, 6 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Hysterectomy: Consent to Medical Treatment

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the term "hysterectomy" on patient understanding of the procedure prior to giving informed consent; and if no such assessment has been made, what plans they have to conduct one.

Answer

No national assessment has been made. Hysterectomy is the established medical term for the surgical removal of the uterus. A change to an established term of this kind would require agreement across the national and international professional and classification bodies.

As with all procedures, healthcare professionals are expected to fully explain the procedure in advance, including expected symptoms, side effects, and risks. These conversations should be undertaken using a shared decision-making approach that ensures individuals are supported to make decisions that are right for them. NHS England has published guidance on the use of shared decision making, which is available on the NHS England website, under personalised care.

As part of the Renewed Women’s Health Strategy, we will co-produce with women a standard of care for the delivery of gynaecological procedures, ensuring all women give informed consent and are offered a choice of pain relief.

In 2024/25, 44,348 hysterectomy procedures were conducted in English National Health Service hospitals and as part of English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1319
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Consent to medical treatment Hysterectomy
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk