§ 11. Jane Griffiths (Reading, East)If he will make it his policy to recognise endometriosis as a long-term cyclical condition. [3774]
§ The Minister of State, Department of Health (Jacqui Smith)Endometriosis is a serious condition that can affect the lives of many women and their families throughout their reproductive years. The symptoms of endometriosis and their effect on individual women vary 1047 greatly. There are, however, acknowledged treatments and surgical procedures for this condition that can help very many women.
§ Jane GriffithsI thank my hon. Friend for that reply which will be welcomed by many of my constituents and, indeed, the many thousands of women around the country who suffer from endometriosis. Can she assure me that steps will be taken to improve and speed up diagnosis? Many women first present with symptoms in their teens, and it may be 10 years until they are finally diagnosed and receive appropriate treatment.
§ Jacqui SmithMy hon. Friend is right to suggest that we need to ensure greater awareness of endometriosis. The NHS plan gives us the opportunity to improve, for example, the training of GPs and gynaecologists. The Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper), had a useful meeting with the National Endometriosis Society, and officials are due to meet the society again this week. It is funded partly by the Department of Health's grant programme, and we are very willing to offer advice and assistance on how to raise awareness of the problem. In addition, the NHS plan will allow us to ensure that GPs and gynaecologists are in the best possible position to provide the treatment that women clearly deserve.