The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, has launched Ireland’s first-ever National Framework for the Management of Endometriosis, a landmark step in advancing women’s healthcare in the country. Developed by the HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP), the framework introduces a defined clinical care pathway for women and girls living with endometriosis. It aims to transform how the condition is recognised and treated by placing women’s experiences at the centre of care. A key innovation is the adoption of a “presumed diagnosis” model, which allows treatment to begin based on a woman’s symptoms rather than waiting for lengthy diagnostic procedures. This approach is designed to reduce delays in care and the long-term impact of the disease.
The new framework establishes a tiered care pathway from primary to tertiary care, with five regional specialist centres handling moderate cases and two supra-regional centres managing complex cases. Currently, three specialist centres are operational in the Rotunda Hospital, the Coombe Hospital, and University Hospital Limerick, with additional centres being developed at University Hospital Galway and the National Maternity Hospital. Complex cases will be referred to Tallaght University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital.
At the launch event, Minister Carroll MacNeill, alongside HSE CEO Bernard Gloster and NWIHP Clinical Director Dr. Cliona Murphy, highlighted the framework as a major milestone in addressing a condition that has long been under-recognised and under-treated. The Minister emphasized that the new model of care will raise awareness among healthcare professionals, shorten diagnosis times, and ensure effective, timely treatment for women across Ireland.
To accelerate access to care, the Minister announced a series of immediate measures under the framework. The HSE will increase surgical capacity, carrying out over 100 additional endometriosis surgeries across all regions. Recruitment for an additional colorectal surgeon is underway to expand capacity for complex cases. The HSE will also support women seeking treatment abroad through a dedicated interim scheme, with information available on its official website.
Further actions include establishing an Endometriosis Advisory Group comprising patient advocates and Women’s Health Taskforce members to guide policy and implementation. Education and training will be enhanced through collaboration with international experts, fostering knowledge exchange and expertise development among Irish clinicians. Additionally, all healthcare providers—including GPs and consultants—will receive updated guidance on recognising and managing endometriosis, supported by a forthcoming national awareness campaign on menstrual health in early 2026.
HSE CEO Bernard Gloster acknowledged the progress made through the collaborative efforts of patients, clinicians, and advocacy groups. He confirmed that the additional surgeries and recruitment efforts mark a targeted response to the urgent need for timely surgical care, while long-term capacity continues to grow under the new framework.
Dr. Cliona Murphy praised the framework as the culmination of years of dedication from clinicians and advocates, positioning Ireland among a small number of countries with such a structured national approach. She noted that the framework will help clinicians provide consistent, high-quality care and serve as a roadmap to further reduce diagnosis and waiting times, ensuring that women with endometriosis receive the support and treatment they need.
