Cork welcomes specialist endometriosis centre

A state-of-the-art centre providing improved access to specialist care for women with advanced endometriosis has been officially opened in Cork.

The Supra-Regional Endometriosis Centre is located at the Lee Clinic in Cork city and operated by the Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH).

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside of it, affecting approximately one in ten women globally. The multidisciplinary team at the new Cork centre will provide specialist care to ensure each patient receives the comprehensive, tailored support they need.

The Government has invested over €5 million to fund staffing across endometriosis services since 2021 including €2.175 million to expand services this year, with a further, €1.7 million invested in endometriosis services in Cork since 2022.

Officially opening the centre at the Lee Clinic, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD said the centre represents an important step forward in ensuring patients receive the expert multi-disciplinary treatment and comprehensive support that they need.

Minister MacNeill said: “I have spoken with so many women who have struggled with endometriosis, with delayed diagnosis and difficulty in obtaining appropriate, ongoing treatment.

“This facility in Cork will help deliver a new model of care – one that meets the complex needs of women with endometriosis while providing timely, equitable access to essential services for women living with this condition. My hope is that this state-of-the-art facility will continue to bridge the gap in healthcare for those suffering with endometriosis,” she added.

Developed by the HSE and the HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP), the new centre aligns with the National Endometriosis Framework which, for the first time, outlines a defined clinical care pathway for women with endometriosis in Ireland.

Dr Mairead O’Riordan, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Clinical Director, CUMH said: “Endometriosis can severely impact the quality of life, yet for many, the path to a correct diagnosis and effective treatment is a long and difficult journey. This centre should change that, offering not just expert care, but hope for better management of the condition.

“This is an exciting time for women’s health, and I am proud that CUMH is the leading the way,” added Dr O’Riordan.

Prof. John R Higgins, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UCC, Clinical Director, Ireland South Women and Infants Directorate, added: “Endometriosis has long been a Cinderella condition – often underdiagnosed and undertreated. It is wonderful to see the Government investing in a truly national endometriosis service."