57 Women Have Now Had Endometriosis Surgery Abroad - But What About the Patients Still Left Behind?
New figures show that 57 women have now undergone endometriosis surgery abroad through Ireland’s Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme - ESAIS.
That is important progress.
But it also raises serious questions about what happens to the patients who cannot access the scheme, who cannot afford the upfront costs of travelling, or who are considered too complex even for the overseas pathways currently available.
I have now written a full Substack article looking at the latest ESAIS figures, the fact that the Galway hub under the National Endometriosis Framework is still not operational, the financial and emotional impact of travelling abroad for care, and why Ireland needs to build a genuine Endometriosis Centre of Excellence capable of treating patients at every level of complexity.
I also write about something that is often missing from these conversations - the trauma caused by delayed specialist treatment.
For some patients, earlier diagnosis and the new Framework may mean a very different future.
That is progress and it should be acknowledged.
But we also cannot forget the women who were left waiting for years or decades and who are now living with highly complex disease as a result.
We need a pathway for the newly diagnosed so they do not become complex patients - and we need a pathway for the women who already are complex because appropriate specialist care came too late.
Ultimately, no patient should have to leave Ireland because their own country cannot provide the expertise they need.
ESAIS should remain exactly what its name says it is - an interim solution.
Ireland should be building the expertise to care for endometriosis patients here, from the earliest diagnosis to the most complex case.
This is one of the reasons I continue to call for a National Inquiry into endometriosis diagnosis, treatment delays and care in Ireland.
The Framework looks forward.
An inquiry must also look backwards.
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Every signature helps keep pressure on Government to deliver accountability, specialist care and a system that does not leave another generation of patients behind.