AQW 16869/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health how many British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy-accredited Specialist Endometriosis Centres there are in Northern Ireland.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 25 March 2021
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 25 March 2021
- Answer due by
- 13 April 2021
- Answered
- 15 September 2021174 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
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.