We welcome the appointment of Professor Mark Taylor as Northern Ireland's first Regional Clinical Director for Elective Care with a much-needed and long overdue focus on tackling NHS waiting lists.
There are thousands of patients on a gynaecology waiting list in Northern Ireland, with many waiting several years for treatment, and it currently takes on average up to 9 years and 5 months to get an endometriosis diagnosis. Endometriosis care in Northern Ireland is shockingly lacking - and urgently needs prioritising.
Without access to treatment and management the disease may progress, potentially risking organ damage, and can have a devastating impact on all aspects of life including physical and mental health, work, education and relationships.
This new appointment must be supported by the necessary funding, capacity and resources to adequately deliver endometriosis care in Northern Ireland. Tackling the appalling gynaecology waiting time has to be a priority to stop the unnecessary suffering of many of those living with endometriosis.
Endometriosis UK looks forward to working with Professor Mark Taylor and the Government to ensure that every patient in Northern Ireland can access the right care at the right time.
