These are common long-term conditions that can have a significant impact on a woman’s life and I am aware of and sympathise with the hardships faced by women who experience severe symptoms. I believe it is important to raise awareness of the impact on women not just here in the UK, but also worldwide and I welcome efforts to do so as part of Endometriosis Action Month.
To provide support, all obstetricians and gynaecologists have been trained in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions and clinical guidelines on the diagnosis and management of endometriosis, and PCOS, have been published to assist doctors. I firmly believe these guidelines must be followed in clinical settings and education, and in primary care, so women know what to expect and doctors have the knowledge they need to support women.
I agree with ministers that it is unacceptable that the average diagnosis time for endometriosis is seven to eight years. It is imperative that we have a greater focus on women’s health to address issues like this and I warmly welcome the publication of the Government's Vision for Women's Health to tackle decades of health inequality. I was especially encouraged to see that gynaecological conditions, like endometriosis and PCOS, are a priority area in the Vision. The ambition is that every woman and girl will be able to access the right information, support and diagnosis for menstrual health and gynaecological conditions and ways to improve awareness of and care for those suffering symptoms of these conditions. More detail will be in the forthcoming Women’s Health Strategy, due in spring 2022, and I look forward to learning more in due course.
While I am sympathetic to the points raised in EDM 1110, I support action already being taken, and in progress, to support women with endometriosis and as such I will not be signing this EDM. This is due to the administration around EDMs being costly to the taxpayer and that they rarely have any influence on the legislative process.
29/03/2022