The HSE has provided over €20,000 in funding under the new Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme (ESAIS), the Medical Independent (MI) has learned.
Ten applicants have travelled overseas for surgery through the scheme and eight further applications have received approval, said a HSE spokesperson.
The scheme was launched in October 2025 with the National Endometriosis Framework to provide a pathway for women awaiting endometriosis surgery in Ireland.
The HSE has a list of approved centres from which women can choose to seek care. The scheme is for patients on public or private waiting lists for endometriosis surgery. According to the HSE, the scheme was introduced while more endometriosis services are put in place nationally.
“Since its launch, the scheme has engaged with more than 100 women seeking guidance and support for their endometriosis care both in Ireland and overseas,” the spokesperson said.
“To date, we have received approximately 30 completed ESAIS applications, 18 of which have been approved; however, in close collaboration with the Cross Border Directive (CBD) office, we have also ensured that endometriosis-related applications under the CBD are processed without delay.”
The ESAIS is separate to the Treatment Abroad Scheme and the CBD. Unlike these schemes, where costs are usually reimbursed, the ESAIS provides costs upfront for patients on waiting lists.
In addition to the 18 approved applications, a further four are in progress and a “small number” have been declined as they did not meet the criteria for inclusion.
“The ESAIS operates by approving in advance any expenditure incurred by those applying. To date, over €20,000 has been paid on behalf of the ESAIS, and commitments are in place for the other approved applications.”
Speaking to MI, Monaghan GP Dr Illona Duffy said she had not noted any improvement in access to endometriosis services.
She said that GPs had received a letter asking clinicians to be aware of endometriosis.
“There is no pathway for services at the moment,” said Dr Duffy. “It’s great to talk about it, but let’s see some action on it. It’s a debilitating, life-long, deteriorating, and severe condition. It may be appropriate that we refer to gynaecology initially, but the reality is that with gynaecology in most places you face over a year wait at least. We need a streamlined pathway for women.”
In response to a recent parliamentary question by Deputy Paula Butterly, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said that waiting times for gynaecology had decreased.
She added that over €5 million was invested in endometriosis services between 2021 and 2025.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.