The Women and Equalities Committee, which is a cross-party group of MPs, has today (11 December 2024) released a report urging the Government to commit to a range of measures to support those with endometriosis and other menstrual health conditions.
This includes ensuring that diagnosing endometriosis takes no longer than two years, with this target due to be achieved by the end of the current parliament (meaning no later than August 2029). Having such a target would be a very positive step towards the Endometriosis UK's own ambition for an average of one year or less.
The report also makes clear that symptoms of menstrual ill health must never be normalised or dismissed.
Endometriosis UK submitted evidence to the Committee's inquiry, which had begun in Autumn 2023 during the previous parliament. We welcome the report's recommendations for Government and NHS England, which include asking the Government to:
- Commit to reducing waiting times for an endometriosis diagnosis to less than two years by the end of this Parliament
- Amend the Employment Rights bill to make clear that new legal rights are extended to those with endometriosis and other menstrual health conditions - in line with Endometriosis UK's own campaign to make this change.
- Allocate long-term, ringfenced funding and resource to expand the provision of women's health hubs, first introduced following the Women's Health Strategy for England 2022
- Commission the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to develop comprehensive guidelines for more conditions, and communicate these to GPs as well as making them accessible to patients through the NHS website, and monitoring adherence to these guidelines by medical practitioners
- Publish an implementation plan for the Women's Health Strategy for England, as well as updating the plan to include priorities for specific, common conditions
- Ensure that teachers tasked with delivering menstrual and gynaecological health at school are receiving the necessary training in order to deliver it effectively, and that statutory guidance on this subject is stronger
It also suggests that the NHS should:
- Implement a training programme to improve the experience of treatment and diagnosis in primary care for those with endometriosis and other conditions - and that such a programme should seek to challenge racial bias, and ensure all those reporting symptoms are taken seriously
- Stop using the term "benign" (or "benign gynaecology") in relation to conditions such as endometriosis - Endometriosis UK has previously called for this change to be made, arguing that it can contribute to those with such conditions being less prioritised for care and support
Endometriosis UK urge the Government to adopt all of the Committees recommendations urgently. The Government is expected to respond to the report's recommendations early next year.
Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, says:
"Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth from puberty to menopause, although the impact may be for life. Despite how common it is, there is a lack of awareness and understanding of symptoms of endometriosis by healthcare practitioners, and care pathways are not always followed.
"It takes almost nine years on average to get a diagnosis of endometriosis in the UK; it shouldn't. Without diagnosis there isn't access to management and treatment, and symptoms can impact on all aspects of life including physical and mental health, work and education; and the disease may progress. We welcome the fact that the Women and Equalities Committee report recognises the need to drive down diagnosis time for endometriosis and menstrual health conditions, and improve access to good quality care.
"We welcome this report highlighting the importance of symptoms of endometriosis and menstrual health conditions being recognised and believed, as well as making clear and wide-ranging recommendations to improve the lives of those with this disease and other conditions. These, along with the passion for this issue which is expressed in the committee's report should give hope to those impacted by endometriosis and menstrual health conditions that their voice is being heard. Endometriosis UK look forward to working with Governments and health services across the UK to turn the recommendations in the report into reality."
Read the full report at: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/328/women-and-equalities-com…;
