John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

553. To ask the Minister for Health if she will outline the treatment pathways available to women with endometriosis; the location of specialised treatment clinics or hospitals with the appropriate professionals to support and care for women diagnosed with endometriosis; her plans to develop the services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40443/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is recognised that endometriosis is a significant health issue for women in Ireland today and work is underway to improve services in this area. The Programme for Government commits to continue to expand endometriosis specialist services. Endometriosis has been recognised as a priority workstream on evolving women’s health support services and is included in the Women's Health Action Plan 2024-2025.

The HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme has led on the development of the National Endometriosis Framework in conjunction with endometriosis specialists and in consultation with stakeholders including the Irish Council for General Practitioners (ICGP) and the Endometriosis Association of Ireland.

The Framework identifies how care for women with endometriosis is being delivered, from primary care to local hospital care to specialist complex care by multidisciplinary teams.

Most women experiencing signs and symptoms of endometriosis present to their local GP in the community. GPs may refer women with suspected endometriosis to general gynaecology services in their local hospital. Moderate and severe cases of endometriosis may require referral into specialist services. The specialist services model of care for endometriosis ensures treatment through two supra-regional centres in Dublin (Tallaght University Hospital) and Cork (Cork University Maternity Hospital), supported by five regional endometriosis hubs.

Regional Endometriosis Hubs operate from the Rotunda Hospital, the Coombe Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital, University Hospital Limerick, and University Hospital Galway.

Endometriosis specialist services are expanding as recruitment continues with funding provided through the Women’s Health Action Plan this year. Investment is supporting additional personnel to provide multidisciplinary care at both supra-regional and regional level including clinical nurse specialists, dietitians, physiotherapists and psychologists.