Last month we welcomed the Government’s announcement that Health New Zealand will adapt the RANZCOG Australian Living Evidence Guideline: Endometriosis for use in New Zealand. This was a significant milestone and something Endometriosis New Zealand had strongly advocated for.
Now the work begins to turn that announcement into real improvements in diagnosis, treatment and care for New Zealanders with endometriosis.
Health New Zealand has begun the process of adapting the Guideline for use in the New Zealand health system and our communities. That work is to be supported by an advisory group that includes Endometriosis New Zealand, RANZCOG, The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, ANZCA Faculty of Pain Medicine, Radiology New Zealand and Physiotherapy New Zealand.
An important part of the adaptation process is ensuring the experiences of people living with endometriosis help inform how the Guideline is adapted and implemented in New Zealand.
We are therefore looking to bring together a small group of people who would be willing to share their experiences and provide valuable insights directly into the advisory group’s work.
If you are interested in being involved, please email info@nzendo.org.nz
What is different about this Guideline?
The Australian Living Evidence Guideline is a much more comprehensive clinical resource than New Zealand’s existing guidance and is based on current evidence and clinical best practice.
Importantly, it is also a ‘living’ guideline, meaning it will be regularly reviewed and updated as new evidence, techniques and technologies emerge.
The Guideline provides clinicians with greater guidance around diagnosis – including symptoms, medical examination, family history and appropriate imaging – as well as treatment and management options, helping GPs and other primary care clinicians better recognise endometriosis and support people through the next steps in their care.
It also places greater emphasis on multidisciplinary care, recognising that effective endometriosis care may involve a range of health professionals and services depending on an individual’s needs, including physiotherapy, dietary advice and fertility specialists.
To support implementation, a range of education and training resources is expected to be developed for primary care, alongside work to enhance pain management support.
HealthPathways – the clinical guidance used by health professionals to support assessment, management and referral decisions – will also be updated to reflect the new Guideline.
Greater recognition of adenomyosis
The Guideline also represents an important advance in the recognition and management of adenomyosis, an underrecognised condition that can significantly affect people’s lives and commonly coexists with endometriosis.
Adenomyosis is specifically included within the scope of the Guideline, with dedicated guidance on diagnosis, including the use of ultrasound and MRI, and a range of treatment and management options, including pain management, hormonal treatment, surgery and non-pharmacological care.
This provides clinicians with a much clearer evidence-based framework for recognising and managing adenomyosis alongside endometriosis.
Making the Guideline work for you
Introducing a new Guideline is an important step, but meaningful change will depend on health professionals and services having the training, workforce capability, clinical and referral pathways, funding and resources needed to put it into practice.
These implementation issues will be a major focus for Endometriosis New Zealand as the advisory group’s work progresses. Ultimately, the aim is to ensure the Guideline translates into better diagnosis, treatment and care for people with endometriosis.
What happens next?
Health New Zealand currently expects the adapted Guideline to be launched around mid-2027.
The advisory group is expected to meet quarterly, with its first meeting later this month.
The focus for the remainder of this year will be on adapting the Guideline for New Zealand, with work turning towards implementation next year.
The Guideline is part of a bigger picture
The decision to adapt the Australian Living Evidence Guideline is important progress, but our advocacy does not stop there.
Endometriosis affects people well beyond the health system, including in their education, employment, relationships and participation in their communities.
That is why Endometriosis New Zealand will continue advocating for a National Endometriosis Action Plan to provide a coordinated, system-wide approach to improving endometriosis awareness, diagnosis, treatment and research.
We are committed to keeping you updated as the work to adapt and implement this Guideline progresses.
Find out more
Read the RANZCOG Australian Living Evidence Guideline: Endometriosis here.
Read our original response to the Government’s announcement here.
Find out more about Endometriosis New Zealand’s advocacy here.