Prof Ranee Thakar

Who Prof Ranee Thakar is

Professor Ranee Thakar MD FRCOG served as President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) from December 2022 to 2025, having been elected in June 2022; she was the first woman of colour and only the third female President in the College's history. She is a Consultant Obstetrician and Urogynaecologist at Croydon University Hospital and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at St George's University of London, and holds an Honorary Professorship in Women's Health at the University of Liverpool. She led the national RCOG/RCM Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries (OASI) Care Bundle Project, which has significantly reduced OASI rates, and served as Senior Vice President for Global Health at the RCOG from 2019 to 2022. With over 200 peer-reviewed publications, she is internationally recognised for her expertise in urogynaecology and perineal trauma. In public debate she has pressed for women's health to be prioritised in the NHS 10-Year Health Plan, called for gynaecology waiting lists to be reduced, and argued for the continuation and expansion of women's health hubs.

References for this biography

1. 1.Professor Ranee Thakar | RCOG — Official RCOG staff page confirming her role as President, clinical position at Croydon University Hospital, OASI project leadership, global health work, and publication record.
2. 2.Ranee Thakar joins University of Liverpool as Honorary Professor of Women's Health — Confirms she is the first woman of colour and third female RCOG President, and her Honorary Professorship at the University of Liverpool.
3. 3.Dr Ranee Thakar | Baby Lifeline — Confirms RCOG presidency start date, BAPIO Outstanding Leadership Award 2023, IUGA Distinguished Service Award 2022, and honorary fellowships.
4. 4.10-Year Health Plan for England: RCOG response | RCOG — Evidences her press-quoted advocacy on the NHS 10-Year Health Plan, maternity care, and gynaecology waiting lists.
5. 5.RCOG responds to the NHS operational planning guidance | RCOG — Evidences her quoted advocacy for women's health hubs and criticism of their removal from NHS planning guidance.
6. 6.Welcome to Gynaefocus – Professor Ranee Thakar — Personal professional website confirming her RCOG presidency ran from December 2022 to 2025, specialist clinical practice, and over 200 peer-reviewed publications.
7. 7.ROYAL COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNAECOLOGISTS – Charity Commission — Confirms RCOG head office address as 10-18 Union Street, London SE1 1SZ.

Notable achievements

• First woman of colour and only the third female President in the RCOG's history, elected June 2022, took office December 2022. Source ↗
• Led the national RCOG/RCM OASI Care Bundle Project, which has significantly reduced obstetric anal sphincter injury rates. Source ↗
• As Senior Vice President for Global Health, led the RCOG team in securing funding for the Essential Gynaecology Skills programme in Bangladesh and led the Making Abortion Safe programme across five sub-Saharan countries. Source ↗
• Awarded the President's Award for Outstanding Leadership by the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin in 2023. Source ↗
• Past President of the International Urogynecological Association and awarded its Distinguished Service Award in 2022. Source ↗
• Appointed Honorary Professor of Women's Health at the University of Liverpool. Source ↗

What Prof Ranee Thakar has said

• “A way forward is urgently needed to tackle the UK gynaecology crisis. NHS staff are also deeply concerned and distressed that they do not have the necessary resources to deliver good care, affecting their own well-being. The UK government must act now.”

  president of the RCOG · Women's health & gynaecology · 30 Sept 2026 · Kent NHS Trusts pay out £7m in women’s medical negligence claims ↗

• “The plan "falls short in pledging to eliminate the gender health gap that is costing women years of life and good health".”

  President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists · Women's health & gynaecology · 30 Sept 2026 · Streeting orders LGBT+ health review despite axing women’s target ↗

• “A way forward is urgently needed to tackle the UK gynaecology crisis. NHS staff are also deeply concerned and distressed that they do not have the necessary resources to deliver good care, affecting their own well-being.”

  President of the RCOG · Women's health & gynaecology · 30 Sept 2026 · Oldham hospital trust paid out millions in gynaecology medical negligence claims ↗

• “Menopause and perimenopause symptoms can have an enormous impact on a woman's life, and access to reliable, accurate education and information is crucial.”

  president of the RCOG · Women's health & gynaecology · 30 Sept 2026 · Hopes for consistent care for women during surgical menopause ↗

• “women's health is wealth”

  RCOG President · Women's health & gynaecology · 30 Sept 2026 · Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) World Congress 2025 ↗

• “At the moment, women in the most deprived areas face some of the longest waits, threatening to entrench existing health inequalities. Delays can lead to a need for more complex treatment and significantly impact women's health, wellbeing, and daily lives.”

  president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists · Women's health & gynaecology · 30 Sept 2026 · 'Unfair NHS waiting lists' revealed in official report ↗

• “It is fantastic news that menopause conversations will now be included in routine NHS health checks for women over 40 years old. Everyone's experience is different, but menopause can seriously impact a woman's health, their enjoyment of life and their ability to work.”

  Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists President · Women's health & gynaecology · 30 Sept 2026 · Major NHS update brings menopause into routine health checks ↗

• “it would help "break down barriers and reduce stigma". But she said staff carrying out the health checks would need training for the change to have the maximum positive impact.”

  Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists · Women's health & gynaecology · 30 Sept 2026 · NHS health checks to include questions about the menopause ↗

• “Despite recent evaluations showing their promise and potential, progress towards implementing a women's health hub in all integrated care systems in England has been frustratingly slow.”

  president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) · Women's health & gynaecology · 29 Sept 2026 · The six NHS regions without a women’s health hub, mapped ↗

• “Untreated conditions have a devastating impact on almost every aspect of [women's] lives, including their physical and mental health, and their ability to work and socialise. Long NHS waiting times are certainly a factor in why some women choose to have their surgery privately.”

  RCOG's president · Women's health & gynaecology · 29 Sept 2026 · Women paying up to £11,000 for a hysterectomy amid NHS delays ↗

• “Serious conditions like fibroids and endometriosis can have a devastating impact on almost every aspect of a person's life, including impacting their physical and mental health, and their ability to work and socialise. Too often, systemic, operational, structural and cultural issues mean women do not get the care they deserve.”

  President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists · Women's health & gynaecology · 29 Sept 2026 · One in four women in England have serious reproductive health issue, survey finds ↗

• “As a doctor, I am acutely aware of how vital it is that women can access essential healthcare in a safe and supportive environment. Restrictive abortion laws in England and Wales nurture an environment of fear, stigmatisation and criminalisation.”

  president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists · Women's health & gynaecology · 29 Sept 2026 · UK woman who took pills during lockdown cleared of illegal abortion ↗

• “Pelvic floor dysfunction can have a huge impact on women's quality of life. It prevents them from going out. It prevents them from socialising. And the thing is, it is preventable and it can be treated.”

  president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a consultant at Croydon University hospital · Women's health & gynaecology · 29 Sept 2026 · Don’t ‘power pee’ – but do grab a mirror: 13 easy, effective ways to protect your pelvic floor ↗

• “Serious conditions like fibroids and endometriosis can have a devastating impact on almost every aspect of a person's life, including impacting their physical and mental health, and their ability to work and socialise. Too often systemic, operational, structural and cultural issues mean women do not get the care they deserve and our current system risks entrenching the health inequalities we can see in these findings.”

  President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists · Women's health & gynaecology · 29 Sept 2026 · Menstrual cycle data ‘underused’ and should be on health records, experts say ↗

• “If you have severe pain that doesn't improve with over-the-counter pain relief and affects your daily life, speak to your GP – you may need a referral to a gynaecologist. Too many women and girls are currently living with debilitating menstrual pain. We need better awareness, more inclusive education and faster diagnosis – especially for those in deprived or marginalised communities.”

  president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists · Women's health & gynaecology · 29 Sept 2026 · Teenagers with period pain more likely to have chronic adult pain, study says ↗

• “For most women, tears are relatively minor and heal quickly. However, if a woman experiences a deeper tear, known as a third- or fourth-degree tear, this needs to be repaired in an operating theatre and their recovery will take longer.”

  President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) · Hospital discharge / bed-blocking · 27 Aug 2026 · Pregnant women in England at ‘growing risk’ of serious injury in childbirth ↗

• “For this change to have maximum positive impact we'd like to see a real focus on ensuring women from diverse ethnic communities and socially deprived areas being supported to access health checks, and excellent menopause training for healthcare assistants providing health checks.”

  President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists · Hospital discharge / bed-blocking · 27 Aug 2026 · NHS health checks in England to have questions on menopause for first time ↗

• “Fibroids affect around two in three women during their lifetime, most commonly between the ages of 30 and 50. This report rightly highlights the disproportionate impact on black women.”

  President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists · Hospital discharge / bed-blocking · 27 Aug 2026 · Black women with fibroids face delays and poor care in the UK, says report ↗

Recent social activity

• Thank you Adam

  x.com ↗

Where Prof Ranee Thakar has been quoted

1. Gynaecology waiting lists double, leaving women in painbbc.co.uk · 30 Sept 2026
2. Kent NHS Trusts pay out £7m in women’s medical negligence claimskentonline.co.uk · 30 Sept 2026
3. Streeting orders LGBT+ health review despite axing women’s targettelegraph.co.uk · 30 Sept 2026
4. Oldham hospital trust paid out millions in gynaecology medical negligence claimstheoldhamtimes.co.uk · 30 Sept 2026
5. Hopes for consistent care for women during surgical menopausebbc.com · 30 Sept 2026
6. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) World Congress 2025thelancet.com · 30 Sept 2026
7. 'Unfair NHS waiting lists' revealed in official reportbbc.com · 30 Sept 2026
8. Major NHS update brings menopause into routine health checksgov.uk · 30 Sept 2026
9. NHS health checks to include questions about the menopausebbc.com · 30 Sept 2026
10. The six NHS regions without a women’s health hub, mappedinews.co.uk · 29 Sept 2026
11. Women paying up to £11,000 for a hysterectomy amid NHS delaystheguardian.com · 29 Sept 2026
12. One in four women in England have serious reproductive health issue, survey findstheguardian.com · 29 Sept 2026
13. UK woman who took pills during lockdown cleared of illegal abortiontheguardian.com · 29 Sept 2026
14. Don’t ‘power pee’ – but do grab a mirror: 13 easy, effective ways to protect your pelvic floortheguardian.com · 29 Sept 2026
15. Menstrual cycle data ‘underused’ and should be on health records, experts saytheguardian.com · 29 Sept 2026
16. Teenagers with period pain more likely to have chronic adult pain, study saystheguardian.com · 29 Sept 2026
17. Pregnant women in England at ‘growing risk’ of serious injury in childbirththeguardian.com · 27 Aug 2026
18. NHS health checks in England to have questions on menopause for first timetheguardian.com · 27 Aug 2026
19. Black women with fibroids face delays and poor care in the UK, says reporttheguardian.com · 27 Aug 2026

Related media coverage

Recent UK press coverage of their topics — not necessarily citing them directly.

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Contact & links

• Staff pagehttps://www.rcog.org.uk/about-us/governance/officers/professor-ranee-thakar/
• LinkedInhttps://uk.linkedin.com/in/ranee-thakar-139437218
• Xhttps://x.com/raneethakar
• Websitehttps://raneethakar.co.uk/

Organisational contact points only, each taken from a page the organisation publishes itself. No personal or direct contact details are held or shown.