Hysterectomies 'more common' in Midlands

The study looked at the number of hysterectomies

More hysterectomy operations are carried out in Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury than anywhere else in England, according to a national report.

The study, carried out by The Times newspaper, reveals 69% of women had a hysterectomy rather than one of the alternative treatments offered at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals Trust came second in the report with 67% of women opting for hysterectomy operations in certain circumstances.

Researchers looked at how often hospitals performed hysterectomies on women under 45 and suffering from a prolapse of the womb - a condition where the womb drops down into the pelvis.

The patients in question are offered a choice of treatments which could be conservative such as physiotherapy or an operation such as a hysterectomy

Phil Hipkiss
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

The study also looked at the average age of women who have had the operation, with Walsall Manor Hospital having the youngest average age of 36.

Mike Brown, medical director at Walsall Manor, said the figures did not show the overall picture and that efforts were being made to reduce the number of hysterectomy operations.

Phil Hipkiss, spokesman for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, stressed a choice was open to women.

He said: "The patients in question are offered a choice of treatments which could be conservative such as physiotherapy or an operation such as a hysterectomy."

Brian Miller, medical director at The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, also said patients were always offered alternative choices.

He said: "Only 17% of the 375 hysterectomy operations carried out last year were as a direct result of a prolapse.

"However, a number of alternative procedures are also practised and ultimately the patient chooses the treatment given."