South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw has said: "We are hearing increasingly of significant difficulties accessing gynaecological services. As a result, conditions are worsening and more significant interventions are then needed than would have been necessary. This has been known for some time, but the absence of a minister has made progress difficult.

"The report makes recommendations which are very welcome, but whose implementation is now beyond urgent. They are entirely aligned with Bengoa principles, including standardisation of clinical prioritisation, a Women's Health Hub, adapting pathways, and an audit of surgery and improved benchmarking. Implementation of these should, in our view, have already been underway. Pivotal to all of this will be the development of a comprehensive Women’s Health Strategy."

East Antrim MLA Danny Donnelly added: "Right across the healthcare system, transformation proposals are often hindered by difficulties with recruitment and retention. We therefore note with interest the recommendation on an overseas recruitment strategy and extended study leave packages.

"There remains a lot of work to do, and there is no time to waste moving swiftly towards implementation on behalf of thousands of women across Northern Ireland."