Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce the time taken for diagnosis of endometriosis.

The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health, including long waits for endometriosis diagnoses. We are committed to returning to the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients are treated within 18 weeks of referral to consultant-led care by March 2029. The Department, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), has commissioned studies focused on endometriosis diagnosis, treatment and patient experience.

We are taking action to increase capacity and transform diagnostic services to improve waiting times for endometriosis diagnoses. This includes expanding existing community diagnostic centres (CDCs) and building up to five new ones in 2025/26. Our Elective Reform Plan also committed to CDCs opening 12 hours per day, seven days a week, delivering more same-day tests and consultations. Surgical hubs are helping endometriosis patients get quicker treatment and deliver high-volume, low-complexity elective surgeries, including gynaecological procedures.

Currently, over half of the 125 operational elective surgical hubs in England provide gynaecology services. Laparoscopies remain the definitive diagnostic and treatment method and are a key part of this offering. The Elective Reform Plan commits to expand the number of hubs to increase surgical capacity and reduce waiting times.

From 2027, a new “online hospital” will also offer patients the choice to access specialist care including for menstrual problems potentially indicating endometriosis or fibroids from home, providing additional appointments to cut waiting times.