GPs trained to spot endometriosis earlier
Hyfforddi meddygon teulu i adnabod endometriosis yn gynt
GPs across Wales are being trained to recognise the symptoms of endometriosis earlier, to help improve women's care and diagnosis.
One in 10 women suffer from endometriosis in Wales - a painful condition which can take years to diagnose - and it is a priority area in the Women’s Health Plan, which was launched six months ago.
The new expert-led training programme is one of the women's health initiatives Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) provides for GPs, which is helping to improve women’s experience of healthcare in Wales, in line with the plan’s aims.
The endometriosis training has led to a 43% increase in participating GPs' knowledge of the condition and more confidence in discussing symptoms and treatment options with women.
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sarah Murphy said:
“Women have told us that they feel they are not heard, and their symptoms are ignored. This training ensures women's voices are central to their healthcare experience, and it helps GPs support their patients more effectively.
"Endometriosis can have a huge impact on a woman’s quality of life, their work and their relationships.
“I am determined our Women's Health Plan will drive real improvements in women's health outcomes and reduce inequalities."
Dr Mirka Slavska, an obstetrics and gynaecology consultant at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, who delivered the training, said:
“I was delighted to deliver this training with Health Education and Improvement Wales.
“The session covered differential diagnoses, referral pathways, novel diagnostic and treatment options, and introduced the Endometriosis Cymru symptom reporting tool.
“The excellent feedback we received reflects the value of equipping healthcare professionals with current, practical knowledge to improve care for those living with endometriosis.”
Endometriosis is one of eight priority areas for improving healthcare for women and girls in the Women’s Health Plan, which was published in December.
Key achievements since the plan’s launch include:
- Work to scope and develop a women's health hub in every health board area by March 2026
- Wales' first women's health research centre funded by Health Care and Research Wales
- A focused call for research about women's health communication
Dr Helen Munro, clinical lead for Women’s Health in Wales, today (Saturday 7 June) provided an update about the development of the new health hubs at the Everywoman Festival in Cardiff. She said:
"Meeting women’s needs across their life course will be at the heart of the new women’s health hubs.
“This is where healthcare professionals will join up with existing services to provide women’s health services within our communities. The needs of our local populations, together with existing resources and infrastructure will guide the design and delivery of the hubs.”
Notes to editors
- In support of Wales’ Women’s Health programme, Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) launched a new Endometriosis in Primary Care training programme. The programme is one of several key GP training Phoenix which HEIW offers to support women’s health, including training on urinary incontinence, PMS and suspected gynaecological cancer.
- For the endometriosis training, GPs were updated on the most recent European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology and National Institute of Care and Excellence guidelines. Participating GPs completed a knowledge questionnaire before and after their endometriosis training, showing a 43% increase in knowledge scores.
- Panel members for the ‘Empowering Women's Health: Research, Policy & Change’ session at the Everywoman Festival included: Jacky Boivin, Professor and Director of the newly funded Women’s Health Research centre, Dr Helen Munro, Wales’ Clinical Lead for Women’s Health and Dee Montague-Coast Engagement Officer at Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales.
- By March 2026 there will be a pathfinder women’s health hub in each health board area in Wales, which will help improve outcomes, access to and the experience of health and care services for women. If successful, these will be rolled out more widely.