To: The Minister for Health Ireland, Department of Health Ireland and Health Service Executive can act—alongside the Taoiseach of Ireland and Oireachtas—to deliver an inquiry, fund specialist care, and ensure accountability.

Justice for Endometriosis Patients: Launch a National Inquiry in Ireland

Dear Minister,

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to address the ongoing failures in endometriosis care in Ireland.

For decades, patients have faced delayed diagnosis, lack of access to specialist care, inadequate treatment pathways, and, in many cases, lasting harm. Despite the publication of a national framework, critical gaps remain in both resourcing and implementation.

Patients are still:

  • waiting years — often decades — for diagnosis and specialist referral
  • navigating a system that does not consistently uphold informed consent
  • forced to self-fund essential care, including travel under schemes such as ESAIS
  • left without access to multidisciplinary, trauma-informed support
This is not sustainable, and it is not acceptable.

I am calling on you to:

  • Establish a National Inquiry into endometriosis care in Ireland
  • Ensure the delivery of fully resourced specialist centres
  • Remove financial barriers to care, including upfront costs associated with treatment abroad
  • Introduce clear accountability mechanisms within the healthcare system
  • Recognise the impact of medical misogyny and implement meaningful reforms
  • Guarantee access to fertility preservation and specialist reproductive care
  • Embed patient voices in all decision-making processes
Endometriosis is a complex, life-altering condition that affects thousands of people across Ireland. Patients deserve timely, appropriate, and compassionate care.

An inquiry is now necessary to understand the full extent of systemic failures and to ensure that meaningful, lasting change is delivered.

I urge you to act.

Sincerely,
Doireann Barrett


Why is this important?

Endometriosis is not a rare condition — yet in Ireland, people are still waiting years, often decades, for diagnosis and access to specialist care.

This delay has real and lasting consequences.

It means:

  • disease progression that could have been prevented
  • repeated surgeries and avoidable complications
  • loss of fertility and long-term health impacts
  • financial strain from private care and travel
  • emotional trauma from not being believed or properly treated
Despite the publication of a national framework, the reality on the ground has not changed fast enough.
 Patients are still facing barriers at every stage — from GP referral to specialist care.

This is not just a healthcare issue.
 It is an issue of patient safety, equality, and accountability.


Why should others join this campaign?

Because this could affect anyone.

Endometriosis impacts 1 in 10 people assigned female at birth, meaning:

  • your sister
  • your daughter
  • your friend
  • your colleague
may already be living with it — diagnosed or not.

Joining this campaign is about:

  • Standing up for timely, safe, and appropriate healthcare
  • Demanding accountability for systemic failures
  • Ensuring future patients do not have to endure years of unnecessary suffering
  • Supporting a healthcare system that treats people with dignity, respect, and informed consent
This is also about those who don’t yet have the voice, capacity, or support to speak out.


No one should have to lose years of their life waiting to be believed.

No one should have to fight this hard for basic healthcare.


Join us. Sign the petition. Be part of the change.


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