Hello Again!

Thank-you for signing and sharing! We have nearly reached 10,000 signatures. I've received some advice that we should be sending our concerns to Daniel Andrews, as well as your local member.

The people's voice- YOUR VOICE is more influential and has greater reach in helping overturn the decision that endometriosis surgery is NOT elective. Your signatures show that we are not taking this issue lightly. We have received some press which is incredible. I have included the link for you. Just to let you know, I am one person who has started this petition whilst on my holidays. I am extremely determined to make sure this issue doesn't fade away into the background. 

I have written a template that you can send to daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au. Please include ENDOMETRIOSIS - Urgent Request' as the subject title and feel free to edit before sending. It would great if you could also include your journey and how endometriosis has impacted you with the cancellation of surgery. 

You may also want to send this to your local representative, as we are more likely to receive a response and hopefully they advocate for us with minister! 

Dear Daniel,

I am writing to you about the recent decision in the cancellation of elective surgery and ask you to please reconsider.

Individuals seeking surgery for Endometriosis treatment are in desperate need of life quality saving surgery. Endometriosis is a medical diagnosis and it's treatment is NOT elective. It should not be classified as elective surgery and should be re-classified as an essential treatment.

The Charter of Healthcare rights first listed right is "to have access to services and treatment that meets my needs". It's creating more disadvantage for people who are in desperate need of treatment due to the extensive damage endometriosis causes reproductively and gynaecologically. One person's pain is another's visit to the emergency room. The emergency rooms are already at capacity and endometriosis is only adding to this issue.

In the private setting, Endometriosis does not take up resources used to treat COVID patients. Specialists and nurses are not being redeployed and therefore are not being utilised.

Endometriosis is a debilitating condition that affects many aspects of the reproductive organs. It is a major cause of menstrual pain and a significant contributor to female infertility. Often termed the 'silent condition' for endometriosis sufferers this condition is debilitating and is mostly hidden until diagnosed via conventional laparoscopic surgery. Living with Endometriosis impacts a person in many ways from living with chronic pain, heavy periods, painful periods, exhaustion, bowel issues, infertility, pain during sex, not to mention the stress, mental health and financial burden. Sadly, many patients have had surgery cancelled intermittently over the last three years, and this is having a detrimental effect on each person desperately in need of surgery. 

Endometriosis treatment is time sensitive. Many seeking surgery have limited windows, particularly those who need IVF treatment, women in their late 30's/early 40's, do not time have time to wait. You are taking away peoples chances of hope of ever having a family and the ability to live a pain free life. Having laparoscopic surgery is the difference between exisiting and living. Endometriosis doesn't stop growing pandemics. Prolonged time between surgery is prolonged suffering for each person. Endometriosis continues to grow leading to further damage of the reproductive organs. Cancelling of surgery is not the solution. Endometriosis surgery is essential, it's a necessity. Politicians should not be able to make decisions regarding the health of an individual. Surgery needs to be considered a high priority due to the major impact it has on the quality of life, health and anatomy of the reproductive organs.

I am an Endo Warrior. I am 1 in 9. There are 800,000 endo warriors Australia wide. I ask that you address these concerns and immediately over-turn this decision. Thousands of people have signed the petition and shared their personal experience on how this decision has impacted them. You can find the petition here  https://www.change.org/p/victorian-minister-of-health-endometriosis-is-not-elective-surgery-endometriosis-surgery-needs-to-be-classified-as-essential-non-elective

#endoisessential

Please respond as a matter of urgency.

Kind Regards