Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many women in England and Wales are awaiting specialised endometriosis care.

The Department does not centrally hold data on the number of women in England and Wales awaiting specialised endometriosis care. In England, the waiting list for gynaecology care stands at 575,986. This is a reduction of 19,979 since the Government came into office.

The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health, including endometriosis care. Action to improve endometriosis care includes commissioning researching focussed on endometriosis diagnosis, treatment, and pain, and expanding the number of dedicated and protected surgical hubs, of which gynaecology procedures are a key offering. From 2027, a new “online hospital”, NHS Online, will also offer patients the choice to access specialist care from home. Menstrual problems potentially indicating endometriosis or fibroids from home will be among the conditions NHS Online initially focuses on, providing additional appointments to cut waiting times.