Written question WQ92013

Official statistics for diagnostic waiting times for endometriosis are not available. A recent report published by Endometriosis UK estimates the time taken to reach a diagnosis of endometriosis across the UK. This is not the same as diagnostic waiting times. Delays referred to in the report may be influenced by a number of factors, including lack of understanding among GPs and women’s symptoms being dismissed. I have made a strong commitment to ensuring there are improvements to women’s health services in Wales, and a commitment that women’s voices will be heard.

The survey informing the report mentioned above was based on a self-selecting sample and may therefore not be representative of the wider population. A total of 4,731 women responded, with 3,715 of these being from England and only 207 being from Wales. Given these limitations in the data, it is difficult to compare the estimates between Wales and England in a meaningful way. Nevertheless, the key messages from the report are important and we know that improvements are needed. Some progress has been made as outlined below.

A dedicated website has been developed for patients and endometriosis nurses to use. Endometriosis Cymru includes ‘living with’ stories from Welsh people and a symptom tracker which has the potential to become a diagnosis tool for patients and clinicians to speed up intervention for early diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.

Funding for a specialist endometriosis nurse has been given to each health board across Wales. These nurses are actively spending time with patients in clinics and liaising with their multidisciplinary teams to improve the endometriosis service in their health board. Patient feedback suggests they feel supported, listened to, and have a better understanding of their condition.

Awareness of menstrual health, including endometriosis, is being raised through education at school age. Growing up has a critical impact on learners’ health and well-being, and within the new Curriculum for Wales framework, teachers will be able to focus on a wide range of health and well-being topics. Learning about menstrual well-being and conditions which can affect the reproductive system is mandatory, and this includes learning about where to get further information and support.

It is important that learning about menstrual well-being and related conditions is not simply a ‘one-off lesson’, which is why the Relationships and Sexuality Education Code sets out that it should be taught over time as children grow.

I recently announced the appointment of Dr Helen Munro as the first ever clinical lead for the Women’s Health who will lead the National Clinical Strategic Network for women’s health in developing a 10-year women’s health plan. This will outline how the NHS in Wales will meet the expectations of the Quality Statement for Women and Girls’ and build on the findings in The Discovery Report – Foundations for a women’s health plan.