No additional funding will be needed to launch a new specialist endometriosis clinic, the government has confirmed.
Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell told the States Assembly this week that the clinic, which will aim to streamline care for women and girls most severely affected by the condition, will operate using existing resources.
“I don’t believe it will require any extra funding,” she said.
Deputy Howell explained that the service will use a multi-disciplinary approach and be built into current pathways, with a more direct referral process from GPs and closer links to a specialist endometriosis centre in the UK.
“The referral from your GP will be direct into the clinic where we’ll have experts in that area working,” she said.
The Assistant Minister, who has responsibility for women’s health, also said that the government will set up an endometriosis group working with individuals and GPs to improve education and help early diagnosis.
It follows calls for improved recognition and treatment of the disease made at an awareness event last month.
Kate Fry, the founder of support group Endometriosis Jersey and a long-time campaigner for greater awareness of the condition, said she was “deeply moved” by the announcement, which she described as “a vital step forward”.
In the States, Deputy Louise Doublet pressed Deputy Howell on how the service would offer an improved experience for patients without additional investment.
Deputy Howell said the key changes would come from increased awareness and more streamlined referrals.
“It’s just very good to talk about [gynaecological issues], and for women and girls to understand that there is help available,” she said.
To support the new service, Deputy Howell also confirmed that three new gynaecological consultants have recently been recruited.
When Deputy Lucy Stephenson asked whether the department would commit to collecting more data on the prevalence of the condition and the experience of those suffering from it, Deputy Howell said it would depend on funding.
“It will depend on whether we get the additional funding from Gigital because we need improved digital services to be able to collect all this data and to work with clinicians,” she said.