SWADLINCOTE — Evie Solomon, a trainee paediatric nurse from Swadlincote in Derbyshire, launched H.E.R Circle this month, a peer-led support group for women waiting for a diagnosis or living with gynaecological health conditions. The not-for-profit group supports women living with endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, adenomyosis, fibroids and other related conditions.

Solomon was diagnosed with endometriosis at 18, after being admitted to hospital multiple times from the age of 16. She said she went to private healthcare to obtain a diagnosis in 2021. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, and can affect women of any age and cause pain and fertility problems, according to the NHS.

Since launching the group, Solomon said the scale of the reaction had exceeded her expectations. "I underestimated the amount of responses and it's been a very wide age range," she said. "Without systems being created like this and networks, it's never going to change."

Solomon also wants training on conditions like endometriosis to be added to the curriculum for medical and nursing students. She takes a variety of prescription medication, supplements and vitamins to manage her condition.

Samantha Niblett, MP for South Derbyshire, said she was honoured to meet Solomon during a recent surgery and offered her full support. "It shouldn't be such a struggle, and it's why I am looking forward to hearing the plans to be announced this year with government's update to the Women's Health Strategy." Niblett said. "Having sat on the women and equalities committee when we completed the report on medical misogyny, I am hoping to see recommendations made in that report taken on board by government."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the government is renewing the Women's Health Strategy, training new doctors on endometriosis and cutting waiting times for gynaecology treatment. "We are also opening women's health hubs providing care for menstrual problems and endometriosis, and prioritising the condition through NHS online so women can get quicker access to NHS care," the spokesperson said.

Joined Up Care Derbyshire said it had listened to women's voices over health issues and launched The Inclusivity Checklist, Action Plan and Resource Pack to support GPs in treating and supporting their women patients. The resources aim to support reflection, service review, planning and quality improvement across access to care, communication with patients, community engagement, early intervention and cultural sensitivities.