An NHS general practitioner has delivered a powerful and urgent message to women across the nation, emphasising that certain debilitating health symptoms must never be dismissed as merely 'part of being a woman'. Dr Raj Arora, a respected GP, health educator, and television doctor, has publicly condemned the long-standing tendency to brush aside women's health concerns, warning that such normalisation can lead to dangerous delays in time-sensitive medical treatments.
A Stark Message Against Normalising Suffering
In a recent TikTok video that has garnered significant attention, Dr Arora articulated a clear call to action for 2026. She stated, "So many women are told, 'that’s just part of being a woman'. Severe pain, extreme fatigue, hormone symptoms that take over your life – these things shouldn’t just be brushed off as normal." Her message underscores a critical shift in mindset needed within both the medical community and society at large.
Dr Arora, who has witnessed firsthand how women's health issues have been minimised for years, stressed that women's health concerns deserve to be listened to attentively, taken with utmost seriousness, and properly investigated through comprehensive medical channels. She advocates strongly for a cultural change: "We need to stop normalising suffering and start normalising better care."
Empowering Women to Speak Up and Escalate Concerns
To actively address this pervasive issue, Dr Arora is urging all women to speak up confidently and push back assertively when they feel their health concerns are not being adequately addressed by healthcare providers. She highlights the importance of self-advocacy in navigating the healthcare system to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
For those who find it challenging to escalate their concerns independently, the NHS provides a vital resource: the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). This service offers confidential advice, robust support, and detailed information on health-related matters, serving as a crucial point of contact for patients, their families, and carers.
How the Patient Advice and Liaison Service Can Assist
The NHS outlines that PALS can support patients in several practical and impactful ways, including:
- Helping with specific health-related questions and uncertainties.
- Resolving concerns or problems encountered when using NHS services.
- Advising on effective strategies to become more involved in your own healthcare decisions and management.
Additionally, PALS can provide valuable information about:
- The structure and operations of the NHS itself.
- The official NHS complaints procedure, including guidance on how to access independent help if needed.
- External support groups outside the NHS that may offer further assistance.
Beyond individual support, PALS plays a role in improving NHS services overall by diligently listening to patient concerns, suggestions, and feedback, thereby helping to shape better healthcare experiences for everyone.
Formal Complaint Procedures Within the NHS
An official NHS statement clarifies the pathways for lodging complaints: "If you're not happy with an NHS service, you can make a complaint. You can complain directly to the person or organisation providing the service, such as a GP, dentist, hospital, or pharmacist. Alternatively, you can complain to the commissioner of that service."
For complaints related to primary care services—including GPs, dentists, opticians, or pharmacy services—or secondary care services such as hospital care, mental health services, out-of-hours services, NHS 111, and community services like district nursing, patients should contact their local integrated care board (ICB). This structured approach ensures that concerns are directed to the appropriate authorities for resolution.
Dr Arora's advocacy highlights a pressing need for continued education and systemic change to ensure women receive the timely, respectful, and thorough medical attention they rightfully deserve, moving away from harmful normalisation towards empowered, proactive healthcare.
