We need to step up provision for those with endometriosis

Carla Lockhart MP • April 10, 2022

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has written to the Health Minister, Robin Swann, to press for urgent action to be taken to improve Northern Ireland’s healthcare provision for those with endometriosis. Currently, we have no fully accredited BSGE endometriosis specialist centre operating in Northern Ireland and delays in accessing care is much more prevalent than the UK average.

Carla Lockhart said:

 

“The sad reality is that those with endometriosis are being badly let down by our Department of Health. We see that we are lagging behind the UK average when it comes to accessing care, including for gynaecology appointments and surgery. This was evidenced by the APPG on Endometriosis inquiry report in 2020 that showed that 39% were seen within six months, compared to 69% average in the rest of the UK. 61% waited more than six months to see a gynaecologist, compared to 24% in the rest of the UK. In terms of surgery, 1 in 4 here waited for more than a year, with the UK average under 1 in 10.

 

That is simply not good enough, and represents a failure of our Health Department to provide the timely intervention needed for those with suspected or confirmed cases of endometriosis. The Minister must strive for better, and two years on from the Inquiry report and its rather stark findings, we need to see outcomes rather than words and assurances of better to come at some point in the future. 

 

Of utmost priority must be the reinstatement of a specialist care service in the Western Health and Social Care Trust. We also need the additional funding required to allow our Belfast centre to be fully accredited to be provided. Funding in this upscaling of service is vital. The Minister must direct the resources needed to bring about the radical improvement of services so desperately needed.

 

In the meantime, we need access to care to be made available across the UK for those locally in need of care. This is something I have raised with DHSC Minister Maria Caulfield MP and I trust that the Government will be sympathetic to this cause.”

Share

By Carla Lockhart MP July 9, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has congratulated Knitted Knockers of Northern Ireland on the grand opening of their new premises, The Dusty Bluebell in Lurgan, and marked the charity’s incredible milestone, its 9th anniversary. 
By Carla Lockhart MP July 9, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has praised the success of the Birches Vintage and Classic Car Club’s Annual Vintage Day, describing it as a fantastic community event that continues to go from strength to strength.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 9, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has praised the outstanding efforts of the Edgarstown Residents Association following the successful hosting of the Phyllis Abraham Memorial Cup over the weekend in Brownstown Park.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 9, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has welcomed a key change that will see more families become eligible for Free School Meals and Uniform Grants from the 2025/2026 academic year.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 9, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has backed the #MoreTimeToLive campaign by Breast Cancer Now, calling for urgent action to address serious inequalities in access to treatment for people living with secondary breast cancer. 
By Carla Lockhart MP July 8, 2025
Speaking following the announcement of the passing of Lord Norman Tebbit (Norman Beresford Tebbit, Baron Tebbit of Chingford, CH, PC), Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said:
By Carla Lockhart MP July 6, 2025
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has attended the annual Drumcree Sunday commemoration in Portadown, marking the 27th consecutive year that the Portadown Orange District has been prevented from completing its traditional return parade from Drumcree Parish Church. 
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
The Labour government is in crisis and facing mounting pressure to climbdown on its proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR).
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has called on the UK Government to ensure that parents of premature babies are properly supported through parental leave entitlements and has urged Northern Ireland to follow suit with legislative progress that reflects the unique challenges these families face.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart has today issued a scathing criticism of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following his dismissive response to serious concerns raised in Parliament about the impact of the Windsor Framework on local businesses.
More Posts