Today, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has responded to Endometriosis UK's new report which found that the average time to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis in the UK has now reached 9 years and 4 months. This figure has increased from an average of 8 years reported in 2020.
Dr Alison Wright, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said:
“This rise in the time taken to get a diagnosis is deeply concerning. Endometriosis is a serious, often debilitating, long-term condition, that can devastate women’s daily lives, yet too many are still waiting far too long for the care they need and deserve.
“With hundreds of thousands of women already on gynaecology waiting lists, we know this delay will contribute to existing delays in accessing care.
"The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is calling on the Government to go further and faster in tackling elective gynaecology waiting lists, by promoting Women’s Health Hubs, and addressing the underlying capacity issues in gynaecological staffing and theatre capacity, which contribute to these delays.
“We urgently need sustained investment in research, to better understand endometriosis, to develop faster diagnostic tools like ultrasound and biomarkers, and more effective treatments, and to address inequalities in women’s experiences and outcomes.”
- Read the full report here: Endometriosis - The State of Endometriosis Care Report.pdf
- Read the RCOG's latest report on gynaecology waiting lists here: New Year: Still Waiting For A Way Forward
- Access the latest gynaecology waiting list data through our dashboard here: RCOG Waiting times