Cork clinic has 93 women awaiting treatment for chronic endometriosis

Almost 100 women are on the waiting list for endometriosis treatment in Cork, with up to five waiting between six and nine months for an appointment. 

The HSE confirmed to The Echo that there are 93 women waiting for endometriosis treatment at CUMH.

According to Endometriosis Ireland, it is estimated that there are 155,000 women impacted by the condition across the country.

Endometriosis is a chronic disease which occurs where tissue, similar to the lining of the womb, is found elsewhere in the body.

The disease is associated with moderate to severe period pain, pelvic pain, sub-fertility or infertility, with symptoms including chronic pelvic pain, painful sex, heavy or abnormal bleeding, and issues with the bowel and bladder, such as bloating, constipation, painful urination, and painful bowel movements.

Of the 93 women awaiting treatment at CUMH, where one of two national specialised endometriosis clinics is located.
88, have been on the waitlist for up to three months; four have been on the waitlist for up to six months; and one has been on the waitlist for up to nine months.

Additional figures provided by the HSE have revealed that under the EU Cross Border Healthcare Directive and the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme, 226 women travelled abroad last year for gynaecological procedures.

Sinn Féin Cork East TD, Pat Buckley, who has previously campaigned for improved endometriosis care across Cork, said that the number of women awaiting treatment is “totally unacceptable”.

“It is disgraceful that anyone is on a waiting list for this extremely painful condition," said Mr Buckley.

“This is devastating and degrading to women — the lasting suffering and affects on the individual and their family members is extreme.

“I’ve listened to many victims of this condition and it’s totally unacceptable and heartbreaking when a woman puts faith in a service and they’re let down time and time again by a failure of the health system.

“This government must be honest with people, and if the service can’t be provided here, we’ll let the government organise their treatment abroad with the urgency this deserves.” 

The spokesperson for HSE South West further revealed that there are currently 6.5 whole time equivalent (WTE) staff members working at the endometriosis clinic at CUMH, with a further 2.5 WTE potential staff members at the offer stage.

They additionally said that recruitment, for the remaining 4.5 WTE staff positions, is underway and at various stages in the process.

Cork Labour Party Senator Laura Harmon said that it was “disingenuous to make a song and dance about launching the new endometriosis hub in Cork when it wasn’t even fully staffed”.

“I said this at the time and now we can see the impact of this - women should not be waiting for essential healthcare,” said Ms Harmon.

“Improved endometriosis care is absolutely needed and welcome, but it must be done in a timely manner and with the required staffing levels.’’ The specialised centre, located at the Lee Clinic and operated by CUMH, was opened earlier this year by the Department of Health following a €2.175m investment to expand endometriosis services across the country.