Everyone at Endometriosis UK, and so many people in the endometriosis community, were devastated by the tragic death of Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, on October 15, 2021.
Sir David had been chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Endometriosis ever since he launched it in 2018, working tirelessly to raise awareness and improve services for those with the condition.
He had first become interested in endometriosis after a constituent approached him in 2016 describing her experiences struggling to get a diagnosis and appropriate treatment to deal with the condition.
Sir David, who had served on the Health Select Committee from 1998 to 2008, decided he had to do something about it. In Sir David’s time as chair, the APPG on Endometriosis undertook a far-reaching inquiry on the state of endometriosis in the UK leading to the publication in October 2020 of a ground-breaking report with many recommendations on how to improve care and support.
The APPG also held a number of public events, often led by Sir David himself, to raise awareness of the condition, the most recent taking place virtually, in a COVID-compliant manner, during Endometriosis Awareness Month in March 2021. Most recently, he had successfully expanded the group’s members to include a number of fellow MPs from different parties.
Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, said: “Sir David Amess worked tirelessly to raise awareness of endometriosis, and to improve services for those living with the condition. His support was key to ensuring increased public awareness and understanding of the condition.”
“Long before his senseless, tragic death, many individuals and families affected by endometriosis had expressed their gratitude to Sir David for making them feel that they were being listened to and believed – many of them have otherwise been ignored or misunderstood. We will never forget his achievements and support.”
Sir David Amess was born in Plaistow, East London in 1958. He was first elected as MP for Basildon in 1983. He was subsequently the MP for Southend West from 1997, most recently re-elected in 2019. He received a knighthood for political and public service in 2015.
