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New endometriosis nurses to improve care of chronic condition

Specialist posts to be funded by yearly £1 million investment for each health board in Wales

Specialist posts to be funded by £1 million investment each year from the Welsh Government as part of wider plans to improve women’s health services

Specialist endometriosis nurses have been appointed to each health board in Wales to help improve services for women
Picture: iStock

Specialist endometriosis nurses have been appointed to each health board in Wales to help improve services for women diagnosed with the chronic condition.

The posts are being funded by a £1 million investment each year from the Welsh Government as part of wider plans to improve women’s health services.

The nurses will be expected to spend time with patients and clinicians to improve services, as well as share best practice to ensure consistent services across each health board in the country.

Specialist nurses vital in improving endometriosis services across Wales

Endometriosis nurse from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Jo Kitt said: ‘Endometriosis can be a debilitating condition, but with the right care we can seriously improve patient’s quality of life. I look forward to working with all the new nurses to share best practices across Wales.’

Endometriosis UK chief executive Emma Cox said the move was an ‘important step’ in reducing diagnosis times and improving care.

‘These new endometriosis specialist nurses will be vital in improving endometriosis services across Wales,’ she said.

‘The support and advice that endometriosis specialist nurses provide is valued by those with endometriosis who receive such support.’

1 in 10 women in the UK affected by chronic condition

This week marks Endometriosis Awareness Week, which aims to increase awareness of the chronic condition.

NHS Digital data show hospitals across the country admitted 21,888 people with a main diagnosis of endometriosis in 2019-20.

It affects one in ten women and people assigned female at birth in the UK – or 1.5 million – yet it takes an average of eight years to get a diagnosis, according to an All-Party Parliamentary Group on endometriosis.

The group’s latest report surveyed 10,000 people with the chronic condition and found 53% attended the emergency department for their endometriosis symptoms, with 27% of respondents visiting three or more times.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition that causes tissue similar to the lining of the womb to grow outside the uterus. It can cause chronic pain and heavy periods.

Other key symptoms to look out for include:

  • Lower back and pelvic pain
  • Severe period pain that stops people performing usual activities
  • Pain during or after sex
  • Nausea, constipation, diarrhoea or blood in the urine during a period
  • Fertility problems

Find out more about investigating and treating endometriosis here.



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