Endometriosis care
Duncan Smith raised long waiting times, poor diagnosis and the need for GP training and a national strategy on endometriosis. The Taoiseach said specialist centres were opening in 2022 as part of a broader women’s health strategy with significant funding.
This morning, I met with representatives of the Endometriosis Association of Ireland to discuss the crisis in endometriosis care in this country. This illness is suffered by up to 100,000 women in Ireland but we do not know the overall figures. I have three questions for the Taoiseach in this regard. What will the Government do to tackle the waiting time for diagnosis of endometriosis, which can take up to nine years? Is the Government seeking to upskill GPs and provide adequate screening tools to help diagnose the illness more quickly? Will the Taoiseach commit to a national strategy for endometriosis, such as exists in France and Australia?
Comment on this
The Minister for Health is opening several endometriosis specialist centres in 2022 as part of an overall women's health strategy that will see an allocation of up to €30 million-odd, and €48 million in a full year, to women's health, with a particular focus on endometriosis as well as other issues.