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Endometriosis: Health Education

Asked by Mike AmesburyIndependentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 10 December 2024UIN 17595

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of having an awareness raising campaign for NHS clinicians on endometriosis.

Answered by Karin Smyth

The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health and improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for gynaecological conditions, including endometriosis. A number of measures are in place to raise awareness of endometriosis among clinicians, and to support diagnosis and care for endometriosis.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines support healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat conditions. In November 2024, the NICE published updated recommendations on the diagnosis and management of endometriosis. This will help women to receive a diagnosis more quickly.

Endometriosis is included in the core curriculum for general practitioners, and for obstetricians and gynaecologists. The General Medical Council is introducing the Medical Licensing Assessment for the majority of incoming doctors, including all medical students graduating from academic year 2024/25 and onwards. Within this assessment are a number of topics relating to women’s health, including endometriosis. This will encourage a better understanding of endometriosis among doctors as they start their careers in the United Kingdom.

We will continue to keep opportunities for further awareness raising about endometriosis under review.

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