Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Endometriosis

Wednesday 8 June 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Claire Ciano suffers from endometriosis and faces difficulties in diagnosis and treatment, reflecting common challenges faced by many women.
  • Alex Davies-Jones campaigned for better access to and regulation of IVF treatment for women with endometriosis.
  • Caroline Nokes inquired about assurances that the women's health ambassador will champion support for those affected by endometriosis and other women-only conditions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Claire Coutinho Con East Surrey
Women & Equalities
Context

A constituent of the questioner, Claire Ciano, suffers from endometriosis which has negatively impacted her career due to diagnosis delays and inadequate treatment options.

Question

My constituent Claire Ciano suffers from endometriosis. It has had a hugely detrimental effect on her career, thanks to the difficulty in getting diagnosed and the lack of treatment available. I commend the Minister on putting forward the women's health strategy, but will she set out in further detail the steps she will take to raise awareness and improve treatment for sufferers of endometriosis?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

The case of my hon. Friend's constituent is unfortunately only too common. We know the average wait time for a diagnosis is around eight years. Unfortunately, while the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's published guidelines suggest how women should be diagnosed and the treatment they should receive, they are not mandatory. However, in the women's health strategy we will strongly urge that they be followed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or commitments for raising awareness or improving treatment beyond urging guideline adherence.

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Q2 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The question stems from issues regarding lack of access to fertility treatment for women with endometriosis.

Question

I welcome the Minister's comments. One of the biggest issues for women suffering from endometriosis is the lack of access to fertility treatment. She will know that I have been campaigning heavily for better access to, and regulation of, in vitro fertilisation treatment. Can she confirm that that will be a key priority in the women's health strategy, and when can we expect an update to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, which is woefully out of date?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

The hon. Lady has campaigned very hard on IVF. I can say that IVF will be in the women's health strategy; IVF services are commissioned at a local level, but there is disparity in how they are commissioned in local areas, and we want to see consistency of service offered to women and partners.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm IVF as key priority or provide timeline for updating legislation.

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Q3 Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Southampton North
Women & Equalities
Context

The question is prompted by the delay in announcing a women's health ambassador, who would champion causes such as endometriosis.

Question

Endometriosis South Coast does brilliant work supporting women suffering from endometriosis, but it is seeking reassurance from the Minister that, when the women's health ambassador is appointed, she will be a real champion for those affected by this condition and other women-only conditions that are so impactful on their to continue work. Can the Minister update the House on when the women's health ambassador will be announced, given that we have been expecting the post since December?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

I can reassure my right hon. Friend that the women's health ambassador will be key in driving change, not just by raising awareness and confidence among women in coming forward for help, but by improving the services women receive, and she will have to wait only days, rather than weeks, before we release the name.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on ambassador's role or commitment beyond general reassurances.

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