- Conference
- 2009 Health Care Service Group Conference
- Date
- 11 December 2008
- Decision
- Carried
It is estimated that 10-15% of women suffering gynaecological problems have endometriosis, a chronic and debilitating disease which impacts on women’s lives, causing pain, heavy periods and infertility. The majority of cases are diagnosed when women are between the ages of 25 and 40 – when they are likely to be part of the working population, and many of these women will be workers in the NHS.
Health service employers who provide an understanding and supportive environment for women with endometriosis can help to reduce the impact on women health staff, for example by providing more flexible working opportunities during difficult periods; recognising the impact of endometriosis in managing sickness absence; providing assistance to enable the woman to deal discreetly with the sometimes embarrassing and unpredictable symptoms of the condition.
Conference notes that in response to Dame Carol Black’s 2008 report into the health of Britain’s working age population, the government has announced a review into the health and well-being of the NHS workforce. Conference believes that any such review should focus on the need to invest in the workforce by developing effective healthy workplace policies including appropriate support for women NHS staff suffering with endometriosis.
Conference therefore calls upon the SGE to:
i.submit evidence to the government’s review, highlighting the incidence and impact of endometriosis among women NHS staff and calling for healthy workplace strategies to provide them with appropriate support mechanisms;
ii.issue guidance to health branches on negotiating healthy workplace policies which include measures to support women NHS workers suffering from this condition.
iii. campaign to improve access to supportive occupational health services.