DUBLIN, Oct. 18, 2025 — Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, TD, has unveiled the National Framework for the Management of Endometriosis, the first of its kind in Ireland. Developed by the HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP), the framework aims to transform how endometriosis is recognised, diagnosed, and treated nationwide.
A New Model of Care
At the heart of the framework is the principle of presumed diagnosis, meaning women presenting with symptoms will be treated on the presumption they have endometriosis. This approach is designed to reduce delays in care, acknowledging that women are the most reliable narrators of their own symptoms and pain.
The care pathway spans primary, secondary, and tertiary services. Moderate cases will be managed in five regional specialist centres — three already operating at the Rotunda Hospital, the Coombe Hospital, and University Hospital Limerick, with two more in development at University Hospital Galway and the National Maternity Hospital. Complex cases will be referred to two supra-regional centres at Tallaght University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital.
Expanding Services and Capacity
To accelerate access to treatment, the HSE will:
- Deliver over 100 additional surgeries in the coming months.
- Recruit an additional colorectal surgeon to expand capacity for complex cases.
- Support women in accessing treatment abroad through a new interim scheme.
- Establish an Endometriosis Advisory Group, including patient advocates, to guide future actions.
A national awareness campaign on menstrual health, including endometriosis, is also planned for early next year.
Voices from the Launch
Minister Carroll MacNeill said the framework represents a “clear pathway for the management and treatment of this often-debilitating condition,” adding that it places women’s experiences at the centre of care.
HSE CEO Bernard Gloster welcomed the initiative, noting that while endometriosis care has historically been challenging, the framework marks “a commitment to improving access to surgical care across the country.”
Dr Cliona Murphy, Clinical Director of NWIHP, described the framework as the culmination of years of work by clinicians and advocates, calling it a “roadmap for future improvements” that will reduce diagnostic delays and raise awareness.
A Milestone in Women’s Health
Endometriosis affects an estimated 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide, often causing chronic pain, infertility, and reduced quality of life. Ireland’s new framework places it among a small number of countries with a dedicated national strategy, signalling a significant shift in how women’s health is prioritised.
This article highlights the scale, structure, and significance of Ireland’s first National Endometriosis Framework, underscoring its potential to reshape care and improve outcomes for thousands of women.
Jennifer-Carroll-MacNeill-TD-Picture-by-Gareth-Chaney-Collins-Photo-Agency-Dublin
