I was given the opportunity to talk at the Women's Health Cross Party Group meeting last week and I have to say what an amazing experience it was. Thank you to Monica Lennon for giving me the opportunity. I spoke alongside Katy Johnston and Emma Cox who is the CEO of Endometriosis UK. It was hard to share my story but I know that some people in the room were thinking "me too" at certain points in my presentation. Public speaking has never been something I find totally nerve wracking but I must admit this time in Parliament the nerves were starting to kick in a lot more. The meeting was attended by various organisations, other sufferers, politicians and three NHS staff. My main priority was highlighting what needs to change. We are living in a system that needs to change as lots of women are being failed and end up slipping through the net. I asked the Scottish Government to make menstrual wellbeing in the curriculum mandatory in Scotland as I reflected that if I was taught what was normal and what wasn't I could've got help sooner and got a diagnosis quicker. I also asked them if there could be some sort of resource for managers about the condition and how to support women in the workplace. The concerning thing is we are meant to be protected under the Equality Act 2010 but women are still losing jobs due to high sickness absence. The Equality Act needs to be strengthened as it definitely isn't protecting us women.
I felt it was important to talk about the illness openly so that people could capture just how debilitating the condition is. I wasn't going to sugarcoat it and say that my experience of accessing the right care and support was good because it hasn't been in parts. I'm extremely lucky as I have an amazing GP who is just brilliant and is there through the good and the bad. I feel for her though as she has to put up with all sorts like the tears, anger and frustration but she listens and fights in my corner. It takes time to find a good GP but when you do that's when you know you've got someone that has your back. The awareness of endometriosis amongst GP's varies as each medical practice is different. You find that some have an interest in endometriosis and are keen to go and research for more information or ask questions because they're interested.
In terms of going forward there is lots of work that needs done to end the inequalities that women are facing within the health system. We can voice what needs improved but it's about persuading those who have the power to make decisions. These changes won't be overnight but it will be a certain length of time. The system needs to change. There are women out there who are falling through the net and are unable to get support and that needs to be addressed.
