Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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328. To ask the Minister for Health the recommendations of the women’s health task force for endometriosis patients; his plans for the implementation of those recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10921/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The commitment to promoting women's health is highlighted within the Programme for Government. This includes a specific commitment to supporting "the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce, including the development of a Women’s Health Action Plan, to tackle a wide range of issues impacting women’s health outcomes in Ireland". A number of initial priority areas for action were determined by the Taskforce, with the issue of endometriosis recognised and included as part of a priority workstream on improving gynaecological health for women and girls.

The endometriosis workstream identified a number of potential actions in this area, including enhanced services and supports such as the establishment of a centre of excellence for endometriosis surgery and optional access to psychologists in women’s health settings, and enhanced information including a clear patient flow for period/pelvic pain and excessive bleeding anda communications and education strategy to raise awareness of endometriosis and the supports and treatments available.

Budget 2021 has provided a dedicated €5million ‘Women’s Health Fund’ to progress a programme of actions arising from the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce. Following confirmation of the fund, discussions with the Department and the HSE took place to identify activity under the proposals which may be implemented in 2021 and funded through the Women’s Health Fund. A number of proposals are currently being finalised with stakeholders. Following final internal review and approval, it is anticipated that actions supported by the fund will be announced in the coming weeks. Regular updates are provided on the official Women’s Health Taskforce webpage:

In addition, the Deputy may wish to note that the HSE’s National Women & 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 roll out of Phase One of the new Model of Care commenced in 2020, and the first three clinics were established under the governance of the Rotunda Hospital, Cork University Maternity Hospital, and University Hospital Galway, with a more limited clinic in Waterford. The clinics in Cork and Galway are currently providing services, while it is anticipated that the Rotunda clinic will be operational in 2021, once the necessary refurbishment works have been completed. It is also anticipated that the Waterford service will commence in 2021. Development funding has been provided in 2021 which will facilitate the provision of additional ambulatory gynaecology clinics this year. Subject to available resources, it is envisaged that up to 19 clinics will be rolled out in the coming years.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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329. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the women’s health task force; the progress of the task force since September 2019; the timeline for the delivery of the programme of actions through the women’s health fund in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10922/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Women’s Health Taskforce was established in September 2019 with the aim of improving women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare. The members of the Taskforce meet regularly, with its ninth meeting held on February 19th 2021 and with regular updates provided through a dedicated webpage on the Department of Health’s website at gov.ie/en/campaigns/-Womens-Health/

Budget 2021 has provided a dedicated €5million ‘Women’s Health Fund’ to progress a programme of actions arising from the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce. This funding complements the additional significant investment delivered across women’s health services in Budget 2021, including 12m investment in delivering the National Maternity Strategy and improving gynaecology and fertility services and 10m investment in Screening Services including Breast Check and Cervical Check.

The Taskforce has listened to, engaged with and worked with more than 1,000 individuals, and organisations representing women and girls across the country. Based on this consultation, and review of the evidence, the Taskforce has developed proposals to improve supports for gynaecological health, engagement with physical activity and supports for menopause which were chosen as initial priority areas. In 2021, the €5m Women’s Health Fund will deliver a programme of actions arising from this work, along with additional priority areas, including improving mental health supports for women and girls. A national awareness and education campaign will also be delivered to provide a trusted source of information and help normalise discussions about women’s health.

Following confirmation of the fund, discussions with the Department and the HSE took place to identify activity under the proposals which may be implemented in 2021 and funded through the Women’s Health Fund. A number of proposals are currently being finalised with stakeholders. Following final internal review and approval, it is anticipated that actions supported by the fund will be announced in the coming weeks.