Created by: Doireann Barrett – Endometriosis Patient & Advocate, Founder of the Cneasú Community Ireland

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Endometriosis Care in Ireland has Failed Women. It’s Time for Change.

My name is Doireann Barrett, and I am an Irish woman living with Stage 4 Endometriosis - a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease that affects an estimated 300,000 women in Ireland and over 200 million worldwide.

Women are being forced to accept outdated, harmful, and unethical treatments, or to leave the country for proper diagnosis and surgery.

This is changing now that we have a published framework but…

The Reality for Women in Ireland

• Women are waiting 18 months to 4 years just to see a consultant in the public system

• Most will see up to 7 consultants over 9 years before receiving a correct diagnosis

• Even private patients are often misdiagnosed or misinformed, as Ireland have few true excision specialists

• General gynecologists are wrongly claiming to be Endometriosis Specialists, causing severe and sometimes irreversible damage

• Outdated procedures like ablation surgery, hormonal suppression, and hysterectomy are still being offered as treatment - despite being proven ineffective or harmful

The Missing Piece for me was: Trauma-Informed Care

Endometriosis care in Ireland is not trauma-informed - and this is causing further harm for many survivors in our community.

In 1992, Ireland reformed its laws to recognise sexual abuse as a crime. Yet, over 30 years later, this understanding has not been integrated into medical care.

At no point in my decades within the Irish healthcare system was I asked about prior trauma or sexual abuse - despite the well-established links between trauma, chronic illness, and how the body stores pain.

This is a systemic failure.

It was only in 2026, during an international consultation with a UK specialist, that trauma-informed, multidisciplinary care was finally introduced into my treatment plan.

This should not require leaving the country.

What This Has Cost Me – and Thousands of Others

After decades of misdiagnosis and mistreatment, I have endured:

• 15 surgeries, including 6 organ removals

• 3 rounds of oncology medication and 2 episodes of sepsis

• Loss of fertility and induced surgical menopause

• The inability to maintain a full-time income since 2011

• Ongoing medical trauma caused by uninformed consent and negligence

Despite being diagnosed in 2005, I spent 18 more years under the care of medics untrained in Endometriosis, leaving me with irreversible health complications.

A Broken System but change is happening.

For decades, patients, advocates, and communities across Ireland have been raising awareness, sharing lived experiences, and calling for change in Endometriosis care.

Through sustained advocacy, public campaigns, and protests, pressure grew on the Government to recognise the scale of the crisis and the urgent need for reform. This collective work laid the foundation for the progress that has followed.

In 2021, the Minister for Health announced plans for dedicated Endometriosis Clinics in Ireland.

In 2024, the Department of Health launched 2 Supra Clinics and 5 Hubs. While this represents progress, there remains a need for greater clarity around care pathways, defined standards, and meaningful patient inclusion in their ongoing development.

When the Endometriosis Motion was brought before the Dáil in July 2025, it was rejected.

Eighty-eight TDs voted No. Sixty-nine voted Yes.

In October 2025, both the Endometriosis Framework was formally published and the Endometriosis Abroad Interim Scheme (ESAIS) was introduced - marking significant milestones in acknowledging the need for structured care and access to specialist treatment abroad. These developments reflect the impact of sustained advocacy and the collective efforts of patients and campaigners across Ireland.

I attended the launch of the Framework as part of my ongoing advocacy work, alongside many others who have contributed to progressing this issue over decades.

Despite these steps, many patients continue to experience delays, gaps in care, and a system that has yet to fully meet their needs.

Irish women continue to be dismissed, gaslit, and left to suffer while systems lag behind.

A Turning Point - But Not Enough

I am now in the position where my trauma-informed, specialist multidisciplinary care abroad and at home is being funded by the State.

While I am deeply grateful for this, it highlights a stark reality:

Ireland can fund care abroad - but still cannot fully provide it at home.

This is an interim solution.

This is evidence of systemic failure.

Our Demands

We, the undersigned, call on the Minister for Health, the Taoiseach, and the Tánaiste to:

• 
  Launch a National Inquiry into Endometriosis Care in Ireland, including the absence of trauma-informed care
• Ensure experienced patient advocates are meaningfully included in the implementation of the Endometriosis Framework, and that all public-facing information including influencer-led content — reflects both lived experience and evidence-based care, with appropriate recognition given to the longstanding work of advocates whose contributions have shaped progress to date.
• Fund specialist training for surgeons and consultants in Excision Surgery - the gold standard of treatment
• Implement mandatory trauma-informed care training across all gynecological and chronic illness services
• Create a National Awareness Campaign on Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, and pelvic injury resulting from sexual trauma
  Provide fully funded multidisciplinary and aftercare supports
• Acknowledge and formally apologise to the women and families failed by systemic neglect.    

Why I’m Speaking Out

After more than 36 years of severe symptoms, pain, trauma, and medical injustice, I refuse to stay silent.

Through Cneasú Ireland, I have built a community rooted in advocacy, healing, and lived experience.

In 2024, we hosted Ireland’s inaugural Endometriosis Retreat and brought the Worldwide Awareness Walk to Tralee, Co. Kerry.

We screened Below the Belt, amplifying the voices of those living through this crisis.

On September 20th 2025, Cneasú the Podcast launched on Spotify, sharing real stories of survival, healing, and truth.

Now, as I prepare for yet another surgery, this time abroad - one that should be available in Ireland - I am asking you to stand with me.

Take Action

👉 Sign the Petition to demand a National Inquiry into Endometriosis Care in Ireland

👉 Support this work by donating here:

https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/DoireannBarrett

Every signature raises awareness.

Every share builds momentum.

Every donation helps sustain advocacy, storytelling, and real change.

Mná na hÉireann deserve better.