(Title Image: Guernsey Press)
- MSs back motion calling for action on endometriosis which has left women suffering in silence.
- Suzy Davies MS gives a frank and honest account of how endometriosis has affected her.
- Health Minister supports improving patient experience but cites a shortage of gynaecologists trained to remove lesions to ease symptoms.
The Motion
The Senedd:
- Recognises the devastating impact of endometriosis which affects one in 10 women in Wales.
- Notes that it takes, on average, eight years and 26 GP appointments to get a referral to an endometriosis specialist.
- Calls for more research into the causes and possible cures for endometriosis.
- Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure schools make all pupils aware of what is a normal menstrual period and when to seek medical advice.
- Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure more endometriosis specialists are trained so all women can have access to specialist treatment.
Young people need to know what a normal period is
Dr Dai Lloyd MS (Plaid, South Wales West) provided a succinct description of what endometriosis is:
“….the lining of the endometrium – the lining of the womb – parts of it start to grow outside of the womb. We don’t quite know why actually, but it starts to grow in other places, like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, bladder and other parts of the pelvis. And its….surprisingly common….but the effects in some women can be devastating in terms of chronic, debilitating, severe pain.”
– Dr Dai Lloyd MS
One of the running themes in this debate was the relative lack of knowledge about endometriosis despite it affecting a relatively high proportion of women and girls.
Jenny Rathbone MS (Lab, Cardiff Central) called on members of the Children & Young People Committee to ensure that the difference between a normal and abnormal period is included in the new curriculum. While Cardiff’s endometriosis centre is considered a centre of excellence for gynaecology, but demand is being throttled by a “one in, one out” policy.
Angela Burns MS (Con, Carms. W. & S. Pembs.), Vikki Howells MS (Lab, Cynon Valley) and Joyce Watson MS (Lab, Mid & West Wales) noted how many women – because the disease is so under-diagnosed – simply put up with the symptoms, which can put strain on relationships (because of pain during sex) and lead to associated conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
The disease requires a clear treatment pathway which – as mentioned earlier – can be difficult to get onto even if you’re experiencing serious symptoms.
Later on, Suzy Davies MS (Con, South Wales West) said speakers in the debate would be described as brave, then demonstrated it herself:
Improving patient experience important, but endometriosis isn’t preventable
Health Minister, Vaughan Gething (Lab, Cardiff S. & Penarth) accepted that endometriosis was being underdiagnosed, either because it’s normalised by families or medical professionals or shares too many symptoms with other conditions.
While supporting the motion overall, the Welsh Government would abstain because:
“….we don’t support the specific proposal and the wording around research into the causes and cures for endometriosis, as, unfortunately, there isn’t a cure in the normal sense….and it’s not a preventable condition. What is important is that health boards provide a service model that enables earlier diagnosis and appropriate referrals to suitably qualified health and care professionals…. amongst other things, to be able to remove endometriosis lesions. That should be combined with high-quality pain management and physiotherapy support.”
– Health Minister, Vaughan Gething
He supported the idea of proper menstrual education and he expected it to be covered at an appropriate age within the new curriculum as part of the health and wellbeing area of learning.
One of the main issues was a shortage of gynaecologists who are suitably trained to completely remove lesions.
He was concerned that a disease which affects 10% women (to put things in perspective, that’s around 160,000 women in Wales) is deemed something requiring treatment by specialists only.
Vote
