Last week in Parliament I spoke on the work of the Government in developing a women’s health strategy. After years of decline and a lack of investment, women’s health has become another area in which we are working to rebuild our NHS and the quality of healthcare residents are receiving. According to the National institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), it can take up to 10 years between first reporting symptoms and confirming the diagnosis of endometriosis. With approximately 2% of women of reproductive age affected by endometriosis in England, the Government has recognised this challenge is faced by thousands of women and understands that it has a large impact on the lives, relationships and participation in the workforce and education of these women.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue, similar to the lining of the uterus, grows outside the uterus, often on other pelvic organs, which can lead to pelvic pain, heavy periods and fertility issues. In November 2024, the NICE updated their guideline on endometriosis which makes firmer recommendations for healthcare professionals on referral and investigations for women with a suspected diagnosis.
The UK Government has taken urgent action to tackle gynaecology waiting lists through our Elective Reform Plan. This plan commits to supporting innovative models offering patients care closer to home, piloting gynaecological pathways in Community Diagnostic Centres, expansion of surgical hubs and partnership with the independent sector, to support nearly 600,000 women who are on gynaecology waiting lists. These measures will help to bring down gynaecology waiting lists and help women waiting for diagnostic and treatment procedures. In addition, our plans include approving two new pills to treat endometriosis this year, investing £5.6 million in much-need research.
Far too many women are also forced to leave work because they do not get the support that they need. That is why we are meeting the needs of women with endometriosis in the workplace through a number of measures in the Employment Rights Bill. Strengthening statutory sick pay arrangements, making flexible working available to more people, and opening up conversations about women’s health through employer action plans will benefit all employees managing the condition. We are turning the commitments in the women’s health strategy into tangible actions, such as by setting out how we will eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through the new cervical cancer plan.
No women, man or child should have to wait 4 to 10 years between first reporting symptoms and confirming the diagnosis of any medical condition. That is why I am proud that the Government has made a commitment to improving the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care for gynaecological conditions, including endometriosis.
In our community of Hounslow, 1,015 women have been diagnosed with endometriosis. That is why the Government’s Elective Reform Plan is vital, as it will help bring better diagnostic and treatment procedures. The Government has exceeded our pledge to deliver 2 million operations, scans and appointments, having now delivered 3.6 million additional appointments, including appointments for endometriosis. In 2019, a Healthwatch Hounslow and Ealing report found that women with complex conditions such as endometriosis were frequent NHS users and required better integrated holistic care. This means that our community will benefit from the Government’s changes as more appointments are being delivered in our community and the updated NICE guidance will help the estimated 1 in 10 women with endometriosis receive diagnosis faster.
It is important that as a community we are aware of this issue and continue to make others around us aware so that those who need the necessary help can get it. This Government is committed to prioritising women’s health as we build an NHS that is fit for the future.