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MP Jo White's 30-Year Wait for Endometriosis Care
14 Jun
Summary
- Bassetlaw MP Jo White waited 30 years for endometriosis diagnosis and treatment.
- Endometriosis affects one in 10 UK women, with average nine-year diagnosis delays.
- Government pledges £1 million for menstrual health education in schools.
Bassetlaw MP Jo White has shared her deeply personal experience of waiting three decades for essential endometriosis treatment. She spoke out to highlight the persistent delays women face within the NHS for diagnosis and care.
Endometriosis, a condition affecting one in 10 women in the UK, can involve debilitating pain and heavy bleeding. It typically takes an average of nine years to receive a diagnosis, a delay White described as detrimental to women's lives.
White recalled suffering intensely with painful and flooding periods, a private ordeal that dominated her life for years before she finally received consultant care.
The government is actively working to improve menstrual health education and awareness. A £1 million investment was pledged through the Women's Health Strategy to enhance education in schools and community settings.
This investment aims to equip young people with knowledge about what constitutes a healthy period, encouraging them to seek timely medical advice. White emphasized the importance of empowering women to discuss their symptoms confidently with GPs, ensuring quicker referrals for necessary treatment.
