Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Endometriosis

Wednesday 18 June 2025 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government approved two new pills to treat endometriosis and invested 5.6 million in research.
  • Government will work with colleagues to ensure needs of those with menstrual health conditions are reflected in guidance and employer support through the Employment Rights Bill.
  • Government is establishing 41 women's health hubs in England's integrated care systems to tackle women's health issues.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve Yemm Lab Mansfield
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

Women are waiting up to 10 years for an endometriosis diagnosis, affecting their quality of life and treatment options.

Question

What steps is the government taking with Cabinet colleagues to provide cross-Government support for women with endometriosis?

Answer from The Minister for Equalities (Seema Malhotra)

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.

Answered
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Q2 Steve Yemm Lab Mansfield
Employment
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.

Question

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?

Answer from The Minister for Equalities (Seema Malhotra)

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 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The community diagnostic centres programme was started under the previous Government to diagnose and treat endometriosis.

Question

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?

Answer from The Minister for Equalities (Seema Malhotra)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Community diagnostic centres programme

How: Shifting Care Out Of Hospitals

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Q4 Sarah Owen Lab Luton North
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

Women are waiting up to 10 years for a diagnosis of endometriosis or adenomyosis, costing the UK economy £11 billion annually.

Question

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?

Answer from The Minister for Equalities (Seema Malhotra)

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 Carla Lockhart DUP Upper Bann
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

One in ten women in Northern Ireland have endometriosis with an average wait time of nine and a half years.

Question

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?

Answer from The Minister for Equalities (Seema Malhotra)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: UK-wide strategy for NHS support

How: Nice'S Updated Guidelines

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