Funding has been received to support a multi-disciplinary specialist team for the east of Ireland’s national supra-regional specialist tertiary referral centres for complex Endometriosis cases, which is located in Tallaght University Hospital.
Appointments have been made to the centre – Mr. Cillian Clancy, Colorectal Consultant, Dr. Alison de Maio, Consultant Gynaecologist and three (0.5) WTE Endometriosis Nurse Specialists are now in post.
A second similar supra-regional specialist tertiary will be based in Cork. The National Endometriosis Framework sets out for the first time a defined clinical care pathway for women with endometriosis.
Developed by the HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP), the Framework will be implemented on a phased basis, commencing this year.
The complex services in TUH and Cork will be supported by a network of regional endometriosis hub services, which are being developed, and that will co-ordinate care within their respective Hospital Groups, according to the Department of Health.
The Department said the Framework was built around the principle of “right care, right place, right time”, and its Model of Care proposed that women with symptoms of endometriosis be treated on the basis of presumed diagnosis.
The Department of Health said this was a significant development in the approach to endometriosis care, as it ensured women would receive timely, effective treatment at the appropriate level of intervention.
“The vast majority of cases can be managed successfully at primary care level with the assistance of GPs. Some patients will require additional multi-disciplinary support at secondary care level. This is being facilitated with the setting up of five interdisciplinary teams to support the holistic treatment of endometriosis in each of the maternity networks, said the Department.
“A small number of women with more complex cases will require expert treatment in the two supra-regional endometriosis specialist centres which are currently in development.”
