Development of the National Action Plan for Endometriosis

Overview

Online Consultation on the

Development of the National Action Plan for Endometriosis
 

NOTE: the DRAFT National Action Plan for Endometriosis is attached below the survey link.

Endometriosis is a common, yet commonly under-recognised chronic disease.  It is estimated that more than 700,000 Australian women and girls are living with endometriosis; however, delays in diagnosis and a lack of definitive research on the domestic burden of the disease suggest the number could be far higher.  Although many people will have endometriosis effectively managed, in many cases it can lead to debilitating, chronic pain, recurrence and compromised fertility.  It can also significantly impact the social and economic participation and psychosocial health of those affected.

There is growing recognition within Australia of the need for improved awareness, education, diagnosis, treatment of, and research into endometriosis and pelvic pain.  This National Action Plan for Endometriosis (the Plan) emerges from the combined efforts of patients, advocacy groups, clinicians, researchers and parliamentarians to have endometriosis acknowledged as a substantial health burden in Australia.

The Minister for Health, Greg Hunt MP announced the development of the Plan in December 2017.  The primary role of this first Plan was to provide high-level guidance for the planning and development of specific policies and actions related to endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain in Australia. It provides a platform for improving the awareness, understanding, treatment of, and research into endometriosis and pelvic pain in Australia.

Who is developing the Plan?

The Plan is being developed by the Australian Government Department of Health.

What consultation has taken place to inform the development of the Plan?

A Roundtable Workshop was held on 19 February 2018 with key stakeholders to develop priorities and recommendations for a national action plan to manage this disease.

The Roundtable brought together representatives from peak endometriosis organisations; clinicians, experts and women with endometriosis; and policy makers to discuss issues of significance and identify recommendations for prioritised activities/actions that could be implemented to help address the impact of endometriosis. 

These three key priorities included: awareness and education; clinical management and care; and research.

Why we are consulting?

The purpose of this consultation is to seek broader stakeholder and community feedback on the Plan.

The diverse perspectives, experience and knowledge of all stakeholders and interested members of the community, including people with endometriosis and pelvic pain, families, carers, health care professionals, researchers, community and non-government organisations, all levels of government, industry and business, are informing the development of the Plan.

Your contribution is greatly appreciated.

How to give us your views

Interested parties are invited to provide comment on the Plan via an online questionnaire, which can be accessed through the Department of Health’s Consultation Hub.

The public consultation period closes at 11:59pm AEST on Monday 28 May 2018.

Online questionnaire

The online questionnaire covers:

• Section A: Demographics
• Section B: The structure of the Plan
• Section C: Priority areas
• Section D: Achieving progress
• Section E: Framework for action
• Section F: Implementation partners

How we will use your responses

• Your response is being provided to the Australian Government Department of Health to inform the finalisation of the Plan.
• The responses received to this online consultation process may be made available to designated experts, contractors or consultants who are contributing to the finalisation of the Plan.

Please Note: All responses will be treated as confidential, and no personally identifying information from your responses will be released.

Contact details

If you have any questions, please email your enquiry to Reproductive.Health@health.gov.au