Please watch tonight - endometriosis patients are still waiting for care

Tonight, Thursday 8 October, Prime Time will feature Dr Rachel O’Connor’s experience of accessing complex endometriosis surgery in Warsaw. Please watch at 9.35pm on RTÉ One or RTÉ Player.

The RTÉ Investigates survey conducted with Frendo, featured in last night’s Fertility Uncovered documentary, puts figures behind what so many of us have been saying for years.

Almost 1,800 women responded. Among the findings:

Diagnosed respondents reported an average wait of 14.5 years for diagnosis, with 88% waiting five years or more.
78% of the diagnosed group reported a previous misdiagnosis.
73% of respondents rated their access to endometriosis care as poor or very poor.
88% said endometriosis had affected their mental health.
77% had sought private care, with 214 of those women travelling abroad for treatment.
These figures describe the experiences of survey respondents. Behind each response is a person whose life, health, relationships and livelihood have been affected.

Reading Dr Rachel’s account felt like reading a carbon copy of my own experience of trying to access care. The delays, complex disease, loss of fertility and having to look abroad for help are painfully familiar.

But I am still waiting for the care I need.

On Monday, I was sent to the supra-regional clinic in Cork with suspected ovarian torsion. No endometriosis staff were on duty. I was offered pain medication, discharged without a scan or physical examination, and told to return in November.

I have now written to ESAIS asking for the details of the Warsaw clinic and whether my existing approval could support assessment and treatment there. RTÉ reports that Dr Rachel’s surgery costs were reimbursed under the scheme. I need to know whether this could provide a practical pathway for me too.

A framework and a funding scheme must translate into timely care, multidisciplinary expertise and proper follow-up.

Please watch tonight, share this update and continue supporting our call for a national inquiry into endometriosis care in Ireland.

Read Dr Rachel’s story:
https://www.rte.ie/news/investigations-unit/2026/1008/1594280-endometriosis-care-ireland/

Sign and share the petition:
https://www.change.org/Irish_Endometriosis_Inquiry