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This data is not routinely collected however, the Report “Dismissed, ignored and belittled - The long road to endometriosis diagnosis in the UK” published by Endometriosis UK in March 2024 states that a survey of 4,371 people who have received a diagnosis of endometriosis shows ...52% had visited A&E at least once. 26% of respondents visited A&E 3 or more times with symptoms prior to diagnosis.

Our ambition is for a Scotland where health outcomes are equitable across the population so that all women enjoy the best possible health – throughout their lives. That is why endometriosis is one of the key priorities in the Women’s Health Plan and will continue to be so.

Information about the progress to date against each of the priorities in the Women’s Health Plan can be found in the Women’s Health Plan Final Report.

The number of full-time equivalent civil servants is broken down by policy area and condition as follows:

Provisions in the Community Wealth Building (CWB) Bill will be informed by operation of the internationally recognised CWB economic development model.

Community Wealth Building provides a strategic framework that can be applied to local areas and regions to bind together action in areas such as Fair Work, Sustainable Procurement and supporting the creation and sustainability of democratic and inclusive business models.

The Scottish Government has now confirmed arrangements for an implementation process with regard to the independent report, “Developing Scotland's Economy: Increasing the Role of Inclusive and Democratic Business Models.”

A new group will be formed to examine how the recommendations in this report can be delivered. Consideration of supported businesses can be included in the work of the group.

The allocation of medical specialty training places is made annually to ensure it meets the needs of the healthcare workforce, recognising that completion of specialty training can take a minimum of 3 to 8 years depending on the specialty. This process is overseen by a group of senior representatives from the Scottish Government, NHS Education for Scotland, professional bodies, and Health Boards. Based on workforce data and service demands, the group makes recommendations to Scottish Ministers regarding any changes needed, including the potential expansion of training places in specific specialties.

Eligibility for, and changes to, the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Scotland has always been based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

In its statement of 8 November 2022 (published in January 2023), the JCVI advised that in 2023 COVID-19 vaccination should move towards a targeted offer during vaccination campaigns to protect those at higher risk of severe COVID-19.

From 30 June 2023, on the advice of the JCVI, we ceased the universal offer of COVID-19 vaccination to the entire population. From that point, only those advised as eligible by the JCVI were invited forward for COVID-19 vaccination during the JCVI-designated seasonal winter and spring campaigns.

In July 2024, Scottish Government commissioned Public Health Scotland (PHS) to deliver the Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) Audit. PHS are actively recruiting to the posts required to deliver it.

The Endometriosis Care Pathway for NHS Scotland aims to support healthcare professionals to provide a holistic approach and timely care for those with endometriosis and endometriosis-like symptoms.

To support health care professionals to improve their knowledge and understanding of endometriosis NHS Education for Scotland (NES) has launched an e-learning module on menstrual health available on Turas Learn. It is open to anyone working in NHS Scotland and in particular is aimed at those working in primary care.

Further training resources have been provided through the Women’s Health Masterclass on endometriosis which provided information on diagnosis, treatment and current research on endometriosis, raising awareness of the Pathway with attendees. The resources from this event are available on Turas Learn.

We are currently working with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to develop new training resources on endometriosis, for general practitioners.

Through the Scottish National Menstrual Health Specialist Network healthcare professionals with a special interest in menstrual health have a forum for peer support and sharing expert clinical advice and best practice related to menstrual health symptoms and conditions.

More information can be found in the Women’s Health Plan 2021 - 2024 Final Report.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring those living with endometriosis can access the best possible care and support.

There is now an Endometriosis Care Pathway for NHS Scotland which aims to support healthcare professionals to provide a holistic approach and timely care for those with endometriosis and endometriosis-like symptoms. All NHS Boards should be taking steps to implement the pathway.

Most individuals with endometriosis can be managed within secondary care. For patients with more complex symptoms or who need complex surgery, there are three regional specialist endometriosis centres in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow that provide multidisciplinary specialist care across Scotland.

To support health care professionals to improve their knowledge and understanding of endometriosis NHS Education for Scotland (NES) has launched an e-learning module on menstrual health available on Turas Learn. It is open to anyone working in NHS Scotland and in particular is aimed at those working in primary care.

Further training resources have also been provided through the Women’s Health Masterclass on endometriosis which provided information on diagnosis, treatment and current research on endometriosis, raising awareness of the Pathway with attendees. The resources from this event are also available on Turas Learn.

The Scottish National Menstrual Health Specialist Network provides healthcare professionals with a special interest in menstrual health a forum for peer support and sharing expert clinical advice and best practice related to menstrual health symptoms and conditions.

More information can be found in the Women’s Health Plan 2021 - 2024 Final Report.

The Scottish Government collaborated with Wellbeing of Women on a £250,000 research call in April 2022. The research is primarily being run by researchers at The University of Edinburgh and will look at a non-hormonal drug in the management of endometriosis-associated pain.

The research will be funded over 3 years with the research findings expected to be disseminated in December 2025.

In January 2023 the Chief Scientist Office announced funding of £299,509 for the 30 month ENDOCAN project, led by researchers at The University of Edinburgh. Through a large scale UK-wide trial, the research will investigate whether a cannabinoid can reduce endometriosis-associated pain.

Recruitment for the study is due to start in August 2025 in NHS Lothian and NHS Grampian. More information can be found on the research being undertaken by The University of Edinburgh can be found on their website.

We are committed to ensuring those living with endometriosis are able to access the best possible care and support and that they benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their care.

This year, we have allocated over £450,000 to gynaecology from our £30 million targeted investment in planned care, delivering around 3,500 additional new outpatient appointments.

The 2025-26 Budget, if approved by Parliament, will provide a record £21 billion for Health & Social Care, including a commitment to provide £200 million to help reduce waiting times and address delayed discharge.