A damning new report has revealed that endometriosis patients in the Australian Capital Territory are being 'gaslighted' by hospital staff, with many feeling dismissed and ignored when seeking treatment for the debilitating condition.
Patient Experiences Highlight Systemic Issues
The report, compiled by the ACT Endometriosis Support Group, details harrowing accounts from women like Georgia Brady, who described being told her severe pain was 'normal' and that she was 'overreacting'. Brady, now 28, was diagnosed with endometriosis after a decade of suffering, but only after multiple emergency department visits where she felt her symptoms were trivialised.
'I was told it was just period pain, or that I was anxious,' Brady said. 'I felt like I was being gaslighted – made to feel like my pain wasn't real.'
Delays in Diagnosis and Treatment
The report found that the average time to diagnosis for endometriosis in the ACT is over seven years, far exceeding the national average of six years. Patients reported being turned away from hospitals, given inadequate pain relief, and facing long waits for specialist appointments.
One patient, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was sent home from an emergency department with paracetamol despite being in agony. 'I couldn't walk, I was vomiting from the pain, and they told me to take Panadol,' she said.
Call for Change
The ACT Endometriosis Support Group is calling for mandatory training for hospital staff on endometriosis, better pain management protocols, and the establishment of a dedicated endometriosis clinic in Canberra.
'Women are suffering needlessly because of ignorance and bias,' said group spokesperson Dr. Sarah White. 'We need systemic change to ensure patients are believed and treated with respect.'
Government Response
The ACT Health Minister, Rachel Stephen-Smith, acknowledged the report's findings and said the government would review its approach to endometriosis care. 'We take these experiences very seriously,' she said. 'We are committed to improving outcomes for women with endometriosis.'
However, patients remain skeptical. 'We've heard promises before,' Brady said. 'I hope this time it leads to real action, not just more reports.'
Endometriosis affects one in nine Australian women and can cause chronic pain, infertility, and other serious health issues. Despite its prevalence, the condition remains underfunded and poorly understood, with many patients feeling let down by the healthcare system.
