The Turnbull Government has today released the initial draft National Action Plan for Endometriosis and called for further public input.
The draft plan was developed with endometriosis patient advocates, researchers and clinicians from around Australia earlier this year. This first draft of the National Action Plan for Endometriosis is now open for public consultation.
I am determined to do more to support endometriosis sufferers around Australia and I encourage people to have their say and make sure we have the best possible National Endometriosis Action Plan going forward.
The draft report is comprised of three priority areas to help improve the lives of Australian women and girls who live with endometriosis: awareness and education, clinical management and care and research.
Endometriosis is a chronic and progressive menstrual health disorder that affects at least one in 10 women of reproductive age. It often results in severe and chronic pain and can lead to infertility.
Diagnosis currently takes seven to ten years on average, largely due to a lack of awareness and understanding of the condition among primary healthcare professionals.
Only last week in the Budget the Turnbull Government committed $1 million to increase awareness and understanding of endometriosis among general practitioners and other frontline health professionals.
Earlier this year I announced $2.5 million from the Medical Research Future Fund for Australia’s world-class researchers to develop improved diagnosis and treatment options to improve patient outcomes for endometriosis suffers.
The National Action Plan is the first ever national initiative to tackle endometriosis in Australia and was backed by all states and territories at last month’s COAG Health Minister’s meeting.
The draft plan is open for public consultation until Monday 28 May. Submissions can be made at the Department of Health website at https://consultations.health.gov.au.