Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Endometriosis

Tuesday 1 November 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government introduced the first women's health strategy to prioritize issues such as endometriosis.
  • Work is already underway by the women's health ambassador to better inform young women about symptoms and issues.
  • Luke Evans welcomed the approval of a community diagnostic centre in Hinckley, which will provide MRI, ultrasound, and CT scans.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gill Furniss Lab Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The all-party parliamentary group on endometriosis heard from women about their difficult experiences getting diagnosed and treated, with long waiting times, poor care, and disbelief from medical professionals being prevalent. Despite the publication of the women's health strategy last summer, benefits are not felt by many.

Question

Last week, the all-party parliamentary group on endometriosis heard from many different women about their shocking experiences of getting diagnosed and treated. Despite the very good women's health strategy, they are not seeing that on the frontline. Long waiting times, poor care and disbelief from medical professionals are all still too prevalent for women with endometriosis. Commitments in the women's health strategy are long overdue and women are not fully feeling those benefits. When can we expect to see real progress to back that up and end this national scandal once and for all?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

The Government introduced the first women's health strategy to make issues such as endometriosis a high priority. Of course it will take time—we published the strategy only in the summer—but work is happening already. The women's health ambassador is working to better inform young women about the signs and symptoms of endometriosis, so that they cannot be fobbed off with advice such as, “This is just a normal period.” Better and mandatory training for healthcare professionals in women's health is being introduced and we are working with the royal colleges to streamline the referral process.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline for when real progress can be expected was not provided.

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Q2 Gill Furniss Lab Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The all-party parliamentary group on endometriosis heard from women about their difficult experiences getting diagnosed and treated, with long waiting times, poor care, and disbelief from medical professionals being prevalent. Despite the publication of the women's health strategy last summer, benefits are not felt by many.

Question

Last week, the all-party parliamentary group on endometriosis heard from many different women about their shocking experiences of getting diagnosed and treated. Despite the very good women's health strategy, they are not seeing that on the frontline. Long waiting times, poor care and disbelief from medical professionals are all still too prevalent for women with endometriosis. Commitments in the women's health strategy are long overdue and women are not fully feeling those benefits. When can we expect to see real progress to back that up and end this national scandal once and for all?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. The Government introduced the first women's health strategy to make issues such as endometriosis a high priority. Of course it will take time—we published the strategy only in the summer—but work is happening already. The women's health ambassador is working to better inform young women about the signs and symptoms of endometriosis, so that they cannot be fobbed off with advice such as, “This is just a normal period.” Better and mandatory training for healthcare professionals in women's health is being introduced and we are working with the royal colleges to streamline the referral process.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline for when real progress can be expected was not provided.

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Q3 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
NHS
Context

A community diagnostic centre was approved in Hinckley last week, bringing MRI, ultrasound, and CT scans to the heart of the community. The questioner is looking for more such facilities and specifically a day case unit for conditions like endometriosis.

Question

Early diagnosis in endometriosis and many other conditions is important, so I welcome the news that a community diagnostic centre was approved in Hinckley last week. That will bring MRI, ultrasound and CT scans to the heart of my community, but we are looking for more. For the likes of endometriosis, people sometimes need to have a day case procedure. Will the Minister meet me to discuss having a day case unit in Hinckley? A bid is going through that I am keen to see ensured, so that we can get the diagnosis of things such as endometriosis in the heart of my community.

Answer from Maria Caulfield

My hon. Friend campaigned hard for the CDC in Hinckley and I am glad that he has been successful. Community diagnostic centres will provide a range of tests to speed up the diagnosis process. I am happy to meet him, because they are just the start of a huge opportunity, particularly for conditions such as endometriosis, to get diagnoses as soon as possible.

Answered
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