Our endometriosis service celebrates two years of accreditation

It was smiles all round for a team of colleagues who care for patients with endometriosis, as the trust has been reaccredited as a nationally recognised Endometriosis Centre for the second year running.

Endometriosis is a condition that affects 1 in 10 women or those assigned female at birth of childbearing age.

The inflammatory condition produces cells that mimic the tissue, and present in the lining of the womb. It can then grow elsewhere in the body – most commonly in the pelvis.

As well as being found in areas such as the uterus, tubes and ovaries, endometriosis can also affect other organs in the pelvis, such as the bladder and bowel.

Symptoms vary, but the most common include pain in the lower tummy or back/pelvis, fatigue, nausea, heavy periods, and problems with infertility. There is no cure for the condition, so for those diagnosed, they could be cared for by the NHS for most of their lives.

While it affects over 1.5 million people in the UK, many people don’t know what endometriosis is, and the huge impact it has on the lives of those who live with it.

Hayley Waghorn is our endometriosis nurse specialist, and says she’s very proud of everyone in the team for their efforts to get the trust reaccredited as an Endometriosis Centre for the second year running.

She says: “It has been a long process, as we were an accredited centre before I joined the trust in 2019, but we lost our status when the service understandably became limited during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With a reduction of planned operations taking place during the pandemic, I had the pleasure of working with our gynaecological oncology service.

“Nearing the end of the pandemic, I was able to focus again solely on the endometriosis service, and we were able to regroup in order to focus on gaining back the accreditation.

“I decided to explore what services we have available in the trust for patients in terms of pain, pelvic health physiotherapy, and nutritional support. The latter is so important for patients with endometriosis, and this was the final aspect we needed to offer to become a holistic Endometriosis Centre.

“It is important to make sure that surgery wasn’t the main emphasis, but instead just one part of the patient’s care. That’s because not every patient has or even wants surgery, so looking at the patient holistically is essential.

“Also, if the patient can address other health issues they may be experiencing with some good advice and signposting, this can be quite empowering for them. Endometriosis often leaves the patient feeling like they don’t know which way to turn, and they often feel unheard.

“Endometriosis is a whole-body disease, so it’s important that as a service, we’re offering a really holistic approach to care.

“Most of the feedback I’ve had from patients is they have felt well supported and listened to by the team, which is very encouraging for us. We can’t always get it right, but we listen to our patients to make sure we are working to find out what is troubling them the most.

“I also work as a surgical first assistant, so those patients who need surgery will have initially spoken to me. This provides a continuity of care for the patients, as I’ll see them before and after their operation...I have known some of my patients for well over a year, and sometimes more!”

Hayley works alongside a team of specialists, including consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Balpreet Attilia, consultant urologist, Andrea Cannon, and consultant colorectal surgeon, Shelly Griffiths, as well as teams such as our pelvic health physiotherapy team, led by Debbie Dillon, and our pain team.

She continues: “We also have recently forged links with our partners at the Somerset Sports Activity Partnership (SASP). This team of amazing health coaches have set up a six week activity and nutrition programme for endometriosis patients, to support then to return to exercise and help with nutrition.

“The team also works alongside consultant radiologists, meeting monthly to discuss the more complex patients who come into the service. These patients need more thorough discussion and investigation, before decisions are made to proceed to any surgery.

“It’s also important to share that while we have an endometriosis service, and we continue to hold Centre status, the team who work on this service are also all providing care elsewhere across the trust.”