Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Women are waiting up to 10 years for an endometriosis diagnosis, affecting their quality of life and treatment options.
What steps is the government taking with Cabinet colleagues to provide cross-Government support for women with endometriosis?
Given the long wait times for endometriosis diagnosis, we have approved two new pills to treat endometriosis this year, invested £5.6 million in research and are taking action to cut gynaecology waiting lists through our elective reform plan. The Employment Rights Bill includes measures such as strengthening statutory sick pay arrangements and making flexible working available to more people.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Samantha, a constituent with endometriosis, requested for her needs to be addressed properly in guidance and employer support once the Employment Rights Bill is passed.
Will she also work with colleagues across Government to ensure that once the Employment Rights Bill has been passed, the needs of those with menstrual health conditions, like endometriosis, are reflected properly in guidance and employer support?
We will work with colleagues across government to ensure that needs of those with menstrual health conditions are reflected properly in guidance and employer support through the Employment Rights Bill. We also intend to engage organizations such as Endometriosis UK in this process.
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The community diagnostic centres programme was started under the previous Government to diagnose and treat endometriosis.
What commitment can the Minister give that the community diagnostic centres programme will be used effectively to diagnose and treat not just endometriosis, but all conditions listed in the women’s health strategy?
We are taking forward a number of measures as part of the women's health strategy, including establishing 41 women’s health hubs in England’s integrated care systems to support and tackle women’s health issues by shifting care out of hospitals.
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Assessment & feedback
Community diagnostic centres programme
Shifting Care Out Of Hospitals
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
Women are waiting up to 10 years for a diagnosis of endometriosis or adenomyosis, costing the UK economy £11 billion annually.
Given that reproductive health issues cost the UK economy £11 billion a year and wait times need improvement, does the Minister agree that investing in women’s health is essential? How is she raising the importance of the women’s health strategy with her colleagues?
We agree that investing in women’s health is essential. We are turning commitments into tangible actions, such as through the new cervical cancer plan aiming to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 and our elective reform plan supporting nearly 600,000 women on gynaecology waiting lists.
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
One in ten women in Northern Ireland have endometriosis with an average wait time of nine and a half years.
Does the Minister agree that there needs to be a UK-wide strategy equipping the NHS with endo-experienced surgeons, fertility experts, mental health support, and pain specialists?
We agree that there needs to be a UK-wide strategy. NICE’s updated guidelines on endometriosis make firmer recommendations on referral and investigations, which will help women receive faster diagnosis and effective treatment.
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Assessment & feedback
UK-wide strategy for NHS support
Nice'S Updated Guidelines
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