Health · Healthcare & Policy · 1 hr ago
Welsh endometriosis services face pressure as patients report disrupted surgery
Kelly O’Shea, 32, lives with chronic pain from endometriosis, a condition that can require complex surgery.
She says she woke after more than one operation to learn that the procedure had not been completed because staff or operating time were unavailable.
Her condition affects her bowel, so her surgery requires bowel and bladder specialists as well as endometriosis specialists.
After becoming frustrated and desperate, she paid £20,000 for treatment.
Gynaecologists say specialist endometriosis centres in Wales are struggling to meet new accreditation requirements because they lack resources and dedicated team time.
They warn that services could be downgraded, staff could leave and more patients could be sent to England.
The Welsh deputy minister for women’s health says the current arrangement is not sustainable and is discussing a regional or national service.
Patients in Wales say endometriosis operations have been delayed, cut short or left incomplete because specialist staff or operating time were unavailable.
Kelly O'Shea, 32, said she paid £20,000 for treatment after repeated disruptions and ongoing pain.
Gynaecologists warn that specialist centres treating complex cases are at risk unless services receive more resources and dedicated teams.
The Welsh deputy minister for women's health said the current arrangement was not sustainable and that options for a regional or national service were under discussion.
- Who
- Patients with endometriosis in Wales, including Kelly O'Shea, and the specialist teams treating them.
- What
- Patients have reported disrupted or incomplete surgery, while gynaecologists warn specialist services face pressure.
- When
- The BBC article was published on 12 October 2026. O'Shea said she had been in daily pain for about three and a half years.
- Where
- Wales.
- Why
- Staff say specialist care lacks sufficient resources, dedicated team time and operating capacity; they also cite funding differences between England and Wales.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Cardiff and Vale health board added its specialist endometriosis centre to its risk register, citing changes to accreditation requirements.
Gynaecologists called for a nationally commissioned service or an overhaul of the funding model.
- Patient
- Kelly O'Shea, 32
- Treatment cost
- £20,000 paid by O'Shea
- Pain duration
- About three and a half years of daily pain
- Potential wait
- Up to two years, depending on clinical need
- Accreditation body
- British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE)
What people are saying
I was promised we'd have the whole team there and they'd get me out of pain
not sustainable
commit to sustainable resourcing of gynaecology services - including adequate workforce numbers, staff training and appropriate facilities across the country
Sources
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