Health Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 June 2022

Thursday, 16 June 2022

Ceisteanna (526)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

526. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the areas in which the two super-regional specialist centres for complex endometriosis care will be located; the areas in which the six hospital-based teams involved in the holistic treatment of endometriosis will be located; the make-up of each team and the staffing and services that will be provided at the specialist centres; the current services that are available to support patients with endometriosis in the west and north west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31694/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As part of the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce, in April 2021, I announced the expansion of the endometriosis service at Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) to deliver a specialist endometriosis centre for the management and treatment of all forms of endometriosis, with particular focus on advanced and complex cases for which there had previously been no ready access in Ireland.

Building on that work, funding has been provided under Budget 2022, which will enable the expansion of the endometriosis service at TUH into a supra-regional service, as well as the establishment of a new service for more complex endometriosis cases at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH). It is envisaged that the service at CUMH will develop into a supra-regional endometriosis service in time.

In addition, in April 2022, I announced funding through the Women’s Health Fund for six additional interdisciplinary teams to support holistic treatment of endometriosis within each of the hospital groups, including the Saolta Hospital Group.

However, as this question relates to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.