To ask the Minister of Health what further steps he will take to raise awareness of the symptoms of endometriosis.

In October 2017, the Department endorsed National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical guideline NG73 on the treatment and diagnosis of endometriosis. The target groups include healthcare professionals and, as well as covering diagnosing and managing endometriosis, the guideline aims to raise awareness of the symptoms of the condition and to provide clear advice on what action to take when women with signs and symptoms first present in healthcare settings. It also provides advice on the range of treatments available.

As endometriosis is a not uncommon gynaecological disorder, all GPs would have had learning/education on the condition, both at undergraduate level and also, in many cases, in the course of their post-graduate hospital attachments. A popular and easy to access avenue for GP training has been provided though the Extension for Community Healthcare (ECHO) project. ECHO is now an integral part of GP specialty training in Northern Ireland. For example, there were a number of modules within the 2018/19 programme which focussed on gynaecological/sexual health and there was a dedicated session which specifically addressed the issue of Endometriosis.

In addition, endometriosis specialist nurses have been appointed in the Belfast and Western Trusts. The Western Trust is already an accredited BSGE (British Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy) endometriosis centre and the Belfast Trust is expected to become an accredited centre in the near future.