Endometriosis: something you have to deal with?
By Clare Gooch
As we come to the end of Endometriosis Action Month, we reflect on the many women who suffer with symptoms of endometriosis, including pain and fatigue, who often endure a delay in diagnosis or treatment.
For so many, is a debilitating illness that has a huge impact on a person’s life. It affects physical and mental health, as well as relationships, employment and fertility – the list is endless.
Despite this, it often goes undiagnosed or, if there is a diagnosis, there is often a delay in essential treatment, leaving many women with no option but to seek treatment privately in order to get some relief.
But why is this? Is it because investigations are too expensive, because GPs and doctors are not knowledgeable in this area, or is it because it is now becoming so recognised that the NHS system simply cannot keep up?
Many women spend thousands of pounds on private treatment in a bid to relieve them of their symptoms, in particular pain, so that they can enjoy a reasonable quality of life.
One of our clinical negligence solicitors, Clare Gooch comments: “As endometriosis is becoming a more recognised and diagnosed condition, the resources to Counsel, to medicate and treat women should be readily available without the need to pay thousands of pounds in private care, particularly as it can impact on so many aspects of a person’s life. It is not good enough that a person should go undiagnosed or have to pay for a diagnosis and their treatment.”
We support many women who have sadly suffered due to delays in diagnosis and treatment, in particular failings to undertake investigations which are critical to an diagnosis. If you have been affected by any of the above, please contact us so that we can help you.
Clare has worked in Medical Negligence for over 10 years. She’s a Senior Associate Solicitor in our Medical Negligence team based in Switalskis’ London office.
