AQW 16868/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 25/03/2021
Answered On Date: 15/09/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health how “Endometriosis: diagnosis and management NICE guidance [NG73]” has been adopted in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

Whilst there is no stand-alone Departmental policy for gynaecology services, in October 2017, the Department endorsed NICE clinical guideline NG73 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG73 on the treatment and diagnosis of endometriosis. The Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts are directed to implement this guidance on behalf of the Department.

Endometriosis services are provided as a sub-specialty within gynaecology. Although there are no specific endometriosis services within the Northern and Southern HSC Trust areas and there is a limited service within the South Eastern HSC Trust, patients in these areas are usually referred to services within the Belfast and Western HSC Trusts.

There are currently no accredited British Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE) Endometriosis Centres in Northern Ireland.