Leeds earns national recognition for endometriosis care

Endometriosis patients in East Leeds will now benefit from a fully accredited British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy Endometriosis Centre, which will be based in St James’s Hospital in Harehills.

It comes during Endometriosis Awareness Month and highlights how significant the condition has become both locally and nationally.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb begins to grow in other parts of the body, most commonly in the pelvis. The cause is not fully understood.

The condition affects people in different ways, but common symptoms include pelvic pain, painful periods, pain during sex and difficulties getting pregnant.

Endometriosis affects one in ten women and referrals for treatment are now about a quarter higher than they were five years ago. The rise in demand has been felt across Leeds communities, including the Inner East, prompting the Trust to build a specialist team to support patients with complex symptoms and chronic pain.

Clinical Lead for Gynaecology Mr James Tibbott said the accreditation followed more than four years of work to create a dedicated endometriosis and pelvic pain centre. “This is a fitting way to mark Endometriosis Awareness Month and it’s the culmination of more than four years of hard work to build an endometriosis and pelvic pain centre here in Leeds,” he said. He added that achieving the standard “has been a massive team effort” involving specialists across gynaecology, colorectal surgery, urology, radiology, pain management, fertility, thoracic surgery and theatre and administrative teams.

Mr Tibbott said the new status would help the Trust strengthen its services. “We hope this accreditation will enable the Trust to build on the service we provide here and ultimately help improve the lives of more endometriosis patients in the future. We are absolutely committed to achieving excellence in endometriosis treatment, reducing waiting times and improving quality of life for our patients.”

The accreditation places the Trust among the leading hospitals in the UK for endometriosis care. The team has introduced new research opportunities and expanded treatment options, including the use of robotic surgery. The technology allows for more precise and less invasive procedures, shorter recovery times and in many cases, enables patients to return home the same day, helping to ease pressure on waiting lists.

For people in East Leeds who often face long delays for diagnosis and support, the move is expected to improve access to specialist treatment much closer to home.