Trust apologises for gynaecology waiting lists

The Western Health and Social Care Trust has acknowledged “gynaecology waiting lists in the Trust, and regionally, are unacceptably high”.

A spokesperson for the Trust added: “We sincerely apologise to our patients for the delays and the impact this may have on their care”.

The Trust apology came in the same week a Derry mother opened up about her experience of endometriosis in a bid to help other women and girls going through the same experience.

Endometriosis is a chronic disease where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the uterus, most often in the pelvic region, on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or bowel.

This misplaced tissue responds to hormonal cycles, causing pain inflammation, and sometimes scar tissue that can bind organs together and lead to infertility.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, was finally diagnosed with endometriosis three years ago when she was 40.

“I had been going to doctors for years, from my late teens. I always had problems with my periods but I was never referred for a gynaecology appointment. I was never formally diagnosed with endometriosis,” she said.

“And then, in March 2024, I was in the gym with my brother and sister and as I was coming out, I collapsed with terrible pains in my stomach.

“It was only then I was seen by a gynaecologist and they found a tumour in my left ovary,” she added.

“They had seen a growth but they didn’t know what it was until I went for surgery but they couldn’t remove it because it was covered in endometriosis. That is when I received my diagnosis and nine months later I had a hysterectomy.

“A couple of days before my hysterectomy I began experiencing the same pain in my right ovary. Before this my pain would have been on my left side because of my bowl. Everything was stuck together, my bowel, bladder, everything and I had a lot of cysts and fibroids. At this stage I was already in hospital receiving pain relief.

“I asked them to remove that ovary. Although they did remove a bleeding cyst from it, the medical opinion was that I was better to keep it. But, I had been having pain with it and that was a sign of endometriosis on that ovary.

“After my hysterectomy I was told I shouldn’t have any more bother. This is why I am so frustrated because I am being told they have cured an incurable disease,” she said.

The woman said she felt as if no-one was listening to her about the severity of the pain she was still experiencing due to endometriosis.

“Even before my post-hysterectomy check up, I had been sent to Altnagelvin with severe pain by my GP. I was unable to walk,” said the woman.

“I was told I should not be in pain and should not be in hospital because I had had a hysterectomy, even though I was presenting with the debilitating symptoms of endometriosis. I was in terrible pain and passing blood.

When I eventually received a scan, they found I had a large cyst and it was bleeding internally. The bleeding cysts are actually endometriomas or ‘chocolate cysts’ - blood-filled ovarian cysts caused by endometriosis.

“I actually had to be physically held up while walking, that’s how bad it was. Even to take a step the pain was excruciating. However, it seemed to me, as soon as I mentioned endometriosis again no medical person wanted to touch me.

“I am constantly in pain. I wear morphine patches. I take a lot of medication for pain. I feel as if no-one believes me my pain is real. It was so bad I had to give up my job.

“I can’t even stand and walking long distances is impossible. Even using the bathroom is painful. Basically, I am in constant pain, every day,” said the woman, who added she felt “dismissed”.

“And I'm not the only woman,” she said. “So many women have contacted me recently saying they are going through exactly the same thing. We are definitely not being listened to.

“Endometriosis is affecting my relationships with everybody. I am stuck at home all the time. It affects your mental health. I can’t be a mum to my children. I feel like I am a prisoner in my own body because it is my own body that is fighting me.

“I wanted to tell my story as a woman with an endometriosis diagnosis about the runaround I have experienced and the pain. I am living my life in pain with no clear treatment pathway.

“So this is about the treatment of endometriosis and the treatment of women with endometriosis.”

Derry City and Strabane District councillor Catherine McDaid (SDLP) told The Derry News: “Endometriosis affects at least 1 in 10 women across this island and it’s absolutely shameful that it can take up to 10 years to get a diagnosis!

“This again highlights the inequalities that women face in healthcare. I know women and girls that have been going to the GP with debilitating period pain and irregular menstrual cycles for years, and they haven’t even been referred to specialist services, never mind been given a diagnosis and treatment.

“We need a women’s healthcare strategy that has tangible targets to ensure that women are listened to, given a timely diagnosis and treated with respect and dignity,” said Cllr McDaid.

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Cllr Sandra Duffy said: “Sinn Féin is committed to ensuring that women in the North have access to the necessary healthcare services without undue delay or financial burden.

“The party continues to advocate for systemic changes to address the gaps in women's healthcare and to support those affected by endometriosis. We are dedicated to working towards a healthcare system that recognises and addresses the specific needs of women, ensuring that conditions like endometriosis are treated with the seriousness and urgency they deserve.

“Sinn Féin has been vocal about the urgent need to address the shortcomings in endometriosis care across Ireland, including the North.

“In the Assembly, Sinn Féin representatives have consistently called for a fully funded Women's Health Strategy. This strategy aims to encompass various aspects of women's health, including menstrual health and long-term specialist support for endometriosis. The party has stressed the importance of education, awareness, and the establishment of support services and care pathways.

“While we welcomed the additional two nursing posts for endometriosis care services here in the north, the waiting times to access treatment are unacceptably long,” said Cllr Duffy.

A spokesperson for the WHSCT said: ““We acknowledge that gynaecology waiting lists in the Western Trust, and regionally, are unacceptably high. We sincerely apologise to our patients for the delays and the impact this may have on their care.

“When a GP refers a patient for hospital assessment and care, the referral is triaged based on the clinical information provided and every GP referral is categorized as routine, urgent, or red flag (where there is suspected cancer). The urgency of the appointment is determined during this process. Most women are initially assessed at a general gynaecology outpatient clinic, where diagnostic tests may be arranged, and initial treatments initiated.

“Patients diagnosed with severe endometriosis will require input from a specialist consultant in endometriosis, and some will require surgery. The Trust has limited resources in endometriosis at this time as it is not a fully commissioned service in the Western Trust, however we are seeking funding from the commissioners to enable the service to be provided.

“For up-to-date statistics on waiting times, we encourage the public to refer to the My Waiting Times NI platform, managed by the Department of Health.”