Caithness campaigners tell medical students about their endo journeys

Caithness women's healthcare campaigners have been telling medical students at the University of Edinburgh about some of their endometriosis experiences.

Kirsteen Campbell and Rebecca Wymer, chairperson and vice-chairperson respectively of North Highland Women’s Wellbeing Hub, sat on a patient panel at a "Let's Talk about Endometriosis" event.

They had been invited by Tao McCready, of Endo SOS, and joined Jo Woodward, of Endo Bonds, along with Professor Andrew Horne, Dr Lucy Whitaker and Priscilla Fernandez, from the EXPPECT team in Edinburgh, who are carrying out research into endometriosis and its management.

Mrs Campbell said: "Rebecca and I both spoke about our endo journeys along with Tao and Jo and we then answered questions.

"There were just under 30 students in attendance. They really listened and engaged in our lived experience stories.

"It was great to hear from some of the EXPPECT team about trials they are working on."

She added: "We were absolutely delighted with the response from the students. That’s how you change the future of medical care for women living with endometriosis.

"We look forward to working further with Endo SOS, Endo Bonds and the EXPPECT team."

While in the city at the end of last week, Mrs Campbell and Ms Wymer also discussed women's health rights with two representatives of the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) – Ian Duddy, the chairman, and Eilidh Dickson, policy and international officer.

Mrs Campbell says hub members want to know why NHS Highland has yet to respond to questions over the centralisation of women’s healthcare and the impact it is having on the human rights of patients in the far north.

In a letter dated October 31, Mr Duddy told NHS Highland chief executive Pam Dudek that the commission wanted to ensure the delivery of health services in the Highlands "takes a human rights-based approach".

He pointed out that "the right to health is an internationally recognised right to which the UK has committed to comply".

Topics ranging from lengthy A9 journeys to the quality of gynaecological provision were highlighted by the commission following concerns from women in Caithness and Sutherland.

Mrs Campbell said: "We are disappointed that NHS Highland still haven’t replied to their letter. That’s now 16 weeks."

In a tweet, Mr Duddy said: "There should be no postcode lottery on maternity or gynaecological care."

A spokesperson for NHS Highland said: "We are very sorry for the delay in the response which was due to an internal communication error. We can confirm that our response to the Scottish Human Rights Commission will be with them shortly."

Earlier this month, following an online meeting with health secretary Humza Yousaf, Mrs Campbell said North Highland Women’s Wellbeing Hub would settle for nothing less than a 24/7 gynaecological service for Caithness. “It might take years, but conversations are happening,” she said.

Mrs Campbell and Ms Wymer are due to return to Edinburgh in May for the World Congress on Endometriosis.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.