Correspondence Jan. 10 2024
Committee: Women and Equalities CommitteeFound: Diagnosed diseases/No cancer such as endometriosis or fibroids might be considered as benign even though
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to reduce waiting times for (a) treatment for and (b) diagnosis of (i) endometriosis, (ii) polycystic ovary syndrome and (iii) other women's health concerns; and what steps she is taking to help ensure young women seeking treatment for these conditions have their concerns taken seriously.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
The Women’s Health Strategy sets out the government’s plans for boosting the health and wellbeing of women and girls and ensuring they feel listened to and have their concerns taken seriously. We are investing £25 million in women’s health hubs which will play a key role in improving access to care. Menstrual problems assessment and treatment for conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are core services in women’s health hubs.
Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) are playing an important part in tackling the backlogs of people waiting for diagnostic tests, which includes checks, tests and scans for patients on gynaecological pathways, including those with endometriosis and PCOS. As of December 2023, there are 140 CDCs operational which have delivered over six million additional tests since July 2021.
Additionally, gynaecology is one of six specialties being prioritised through surgical hubs for planned procedures. Surgical hubs focus on providing high-volume low-complexity surgery, such as hysteroscopies for women not suitable for outpatient clinic procedures and laparoscopies for suspected endometriosis. There are currently 94 surgical hubs operational across the National Health Service in England, with 45 of these conducting gynaecological procedures.
Increase funding for treatment and research into endometriosis
- 7,789 Signatures
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There is a lack of support or check ups for endometriosis. The disease is under researched, without a cure and can be left to worsen and can cause severe, chronic pain. More funding is needed to improve treatment options and increase research.
Found: Increase funding for treatment and research into endometriosis
Mentions:
1: Hamilton, Rachael (Con - Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) Local charities in the south of Scotland are dedicated to improving endometriosis treatment. - Speech Link
2: Harper, Emma (SNP - South Scotland) We know how substantial an impact endometriosis can have on women’s lives. - Speech Link
3: Minto, Jenni (SNP - Argyll and Bute) The research will investigate whether a cannabinoid can reduce endometriosis-associated pain. - Speech Link
4: Mochan, Carol (Lab - South Scotland) of endometriosis are recognised in the workplace. - Speech Link
Dec. 16 2023
Source Page: Correspondence in relation to offshore wind: FOI releaseFound: Ms Wymer said: "I belie ve serious conditions such as endometriosis and ovarian cancer are being The
Mentions:
1: Hannah Bardell (SNP - Livingston) For those who suffer from any kind of inflammatory bowel disease—and I acknowledge that people with endometriosis - Speech Link
Correspondence Dec. 11 2023
Inquiry: Inquiry into female participation in sport and physical activityFound: by a range of women's health conditions including pregna ncy, menopause, urinary incontinence and endometriosis
Dec. 11 2023
Source Page: Women’s Health Plan Implementation Programme Board minutes: May 2023Found: includingHer initial priorities include specialist menopause services, menstrual health including PCOS and endometriosis
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Independent - Edmonton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to reduce waiting times for (a) diagnosis of and (b) care for people with endometriosis.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are investing £25 million in women’s health hubs, so that women can get better access to care for menstrual problems, including for women with suspected or diagnosed endometriosis. Women’s health hubs will play a key role in improving care for common gynaecological and urogynaecological conditions, with care for endometriosis outlined as a core service within the women’s health hubs.
Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) also play an important part in tackling the backlogs of people waiting for diagnostic tests, which includes checks, tests, and scans for patients on gynaecological pathways, including those with endometriosis. As of October 2023, there are 135 CDCs currently operational which have delivered over five million additional tests since July 2021.
The elective recovery plan set clear ambitions to eliminate long waits for planned National Health Service treatment. The overall vision is to eradicate waits of longer than a year for elective care by March 2025. We are making good progress on tackling the longest waits; in July 2022 the NHS virtually eliminated waits of over two years and have since worked hard to reduce the number of patients waiting more than 18 months by over 90%, since the September 2021 peak.
The NHS will triage patients waiting for elective care, including surgeries, through three key stages. Firstly, through clinical prioritisation, ensuring the order in which patients are seen reflects clinical judgement on need. Secondly, by targeting those waiting the longest, and thirdly by increasing the number of cancer referrals, ensuring those patients who have not yet presented to services are included.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Independent - Edmonton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department has made an assessment of the level of awareness of endometriosis among doctors.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
The Women’s Health Strategy sets out our ambitions for all healthcare professionals to be well informed about women’s health, and supported to provide women with the best care possible.
Women’s health is a core competency for general practitioners (GPs) and is included in the Royal College of General Practitioners’ (RCGP) curriculum for trainee GPs. The RCGP has developed a ‘Women’s Health Library’, which brings together educational resources and guidelines on women’s health topics including on endometriosis.
The General Medical Council will introduce the Medical Licensing Assessment from the academic year 2024/2025. This includes women’s health topics such as endometriosis, encouraging a better understanding of endometriosis for doctors starting their careers.