Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this important matter and bringing it to the attention of the House. I understand that it is within the scope of a general gynaecologist to diagnose and treat the majority of cases of endometriosis. Therefore, a GP referral to a gynaecologist is the standard pathway of care for the management of endometriosis in Ireland. This is similar to the pathway in place for the management of other gynaecological conditions.

Information provided by the HSE indicates that endometriosis can be a difficult condition to diagnose and treat because of the variation of presentations, which can affect the physical, and indeed the mental, well-being of patients to varying degrees. Treatment may include pain medications, hormone treatment and surgical interventions. The length of time it takes to diagnose endometriosis varies from patient to patient, because of varying, and sometimes ambiguous, symptom presentation. The Minister is assured, however, that the provision of training in the management and diagnosis of endometriosis forms an integral part of the specialist medical training programme provided by the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The HSE national women and infants health programme has advised that the best way to help the majority of patients with endometriosis is to improve access to gynaecology services. As such, the programme has developed a plan to increase capacity and reduce waiting times for women awaiting general gynaecology, which includes patients with endometriosis. The plan aims to re-orient general gynaecology services to an ambulatory, or see and treat, model rather than the traditional outpatient referral model. An ambulatory care model is a more efficient and effective use of resources. It is also better for the patient as it reduces the requirement for multiple outpatient appointments. The programme will progress as planned in 2020.

It is also worth noting that a new women's health task force was established in the Department of Health in September 2019. The purpose of the task force is to improve women's health outcomes and women's experiences of healthcare. The task force is at an early stage of its work and is considering the full range of issues affecting women's health in Ireland. The task force will tackle a wide range of issues impacting women's health outcomes in Ireland and will work on these on a phased, prioritised basis. Each week, external experts in the area of women's health meet members of the task force in the Department of Health to inform its work. This initiative has been under way since the task force was established.

I understand that the Endometriosis Association of Ireland recently presented to members of the task force, highlighting this important issue that affects many women in Ireland. This issue will be considered by the task force alongside a range of other issues affecting women's health. Priority action areas will be decided by the task force in consultation with stakeholders, including the public. The first action of the task force will be to initiate a national listening exercise, inviting women in Ireland to share their experiences of, and solutions for, the health system, and this will commence in early 2020. More information on the task force is available on the Department of Health website.

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