Endometriosis centres 'at risk' of closure as women's health 'broken'
Specialist endometriosis centers in Wales are facing potential closure due to funding shortages and resource challenges. Health experts warn that without a national service overhaul, patients will face increased wait times and a potential exodus of skilled medical staff.
Why it matters
It highlights a critical failure in public health infrastructure and the growing disparity in women's healthcare access.
Image caption, Kelly O'Shea has lived in chronic daily pain for the last three and a half years
Wales health correspondent Published 12 October 2026 Updated 1 hour ago Kelly O'Shea says she has woken from more than one operation to be told adequate resources were not available to do the procedure she needed.
The 32-year-old, who lives with chronic pain, felt there was no alternative but to pay £20,000 for the endometriosis treatment she needed, out of frustration and desperation.
It comes as gynaecologists warn specialist centres in Wales dealing with complex cases of endometriosis are in jeopardy and a national service must be commissioned.
The deputy minister for women's health in Wales said the current set up was "not sustainable" and is discussing options for a regional or national service to be established.
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