Women with Endometriosis have been ignored says Laois TD
Deputy Brian Stanley has called for the establishment of a state-of-the-art centre of excellence for endometriosis care.
Speaking in the Dáil recently on the issue of Endometriosis, Independent Republican TD for Laois Brian Stanley said: “We have to stop exporting our health issues and people for treatment, particularly women in the case of this chronic condition. Not nearly enough attention has been given to it.”
“Proper resources have not been given for the proper treatment of Endometriosis. People have said this disease is pain like one could not describe in words that affects women’s bodies. It is unbearable, several women have told me.”
He said: “Surely if something is affecting 10% of women we have to stand up and take notice. It is unbelievable that the average waiting time is eight to nine years and how this has been let run for so many years. Think of all the women of previous generations who have suffered this silently. This has to stop.
“There is also an issue around theatre time for surgery and specialised treatments. Expert-led surgery is a necessity. We must deal with this area and improve the quality of that service for women. HSE guidelines acknowledge that this is a superior treatment for managing the condition and providing an improved quality of life.”
“Women with this condition,” said Deputy Stanley, “have been failed for years in Ireland. The level of expertise, staffing and timely access are issues. Nine, eight or five years is not good enough. This needs to be done in a matter of months. Women often feel they are dismissed when they suffer this disease due to not being able to go to work or to social events or just participate in normal family life. This is very distressing for them and some of them have described that to me."
He went on to call on the Government to “establish a state-of-the-art centre of excellence for endometriosis care. To establish specialised imaging protocols to assist gynaecologists in identifying, mapping and getting the information on endometriosis. To develop and fund a dedicated training and incentive programme and to launch a nationwide public health campaign to raise awareness.”
