The gynaecological oncology department at University Hospital Coventry, led by surgeon Smruta Shanbhag, emerges from the pandemic facing a mounting backlog of suspected cancer patients. As women previously afraid to visit their GP because of Covid-19 reveal symptoms that have been worrying them, new referrals for suspected gynaecological cancer reach almost 50 a week.

With a referral target to see patients in two weeks and with some complex cases already breaching this goal, Smruta and her team are under pressure to find diagnostic and theatre space in the hospital. But with more than 70 theatre staff still shielding because of new Covid rules and only 22 out of 32 theatres able to be utilised, it has become an uphill battle. Show less