Below is a full update from the APPG on Endometriosis in relation to Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and its impact on the inquiry.
"Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus), Parliament is currently shut down until 21 April at the earliest to combat the spread of the virus. For this reason, the inquiry into endometriosis is currently suspended.
We have already heard evidence from patients, and our patient survey has had an overwhelming response with over 13,000 of you sharing your experience. The survey closed at the end of March and the rest of the inquiry is suspended until Parliament resumes.
We still plan to hear from healthcare practitioners within the NHS who are of course incredibly busy at this difficult time, and from Ministers within the various relevant Departments. We hope to hold two further evidence sessions with both Ministers and endometriosis experts in due course, once the situation has hopefully settled down.
The APPG on Endometriosis remains committed to raising your voices in Parliament, and looks forward to continuing the inquiry when Parliament returns. We had planned to release the findings of the inquiry in July, but in order to ensure we hear from as many people as possible, and to give maximum coverage to the inquiry which is of huge importance to us all, we will now launch the findings later than planned.
In the meantime, we are collating all the evidence gathered from the patient survey and the patient evidence sessions we have already held, which have already given us a huge insight into the challenges that those with endometriosis are facing.
The APPG would like to thank our healthcare professionals at this time who are doing their upmost to take care of the nation, and everyone who has long-awaited this inquiry for their patience.
We know this is a very difficult time for those with endometriosis – as surgeries are being cancelled and waiting lists are expected to rise. Endometriosis UK has produced some guidance in collaboration with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that outlines how Covid-19 may impact on you and your care here: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/coronavirus-covid-19-and-endometriosis
Wishing you well during these challenging times,
Sir David Amess MP - Chair, APPG on Endometriosis"