Endometriosis and pelvic pain service

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Endometriosis (pronounced en- doh – mee – tree – oh – sis) is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (called “the endometrium”), is found outside the uterus, where it induces a chronic inflammatory reaction that may result in scar tissue. It is primarily found on the pelvic peritoneum, on the ovaries, in the recto-vaginal septum, on the bladder, and bowel.

Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women during their reproductive years (i.e. usually between the ages of 15 to 49), which is approximately 176 million women in the world.

Adenomyosis (pronounced ad-uh-no-my-o-sis) is where endometrial tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus and similarly to endometriosis, continues to respond to hormonal changes relating to the menstrual cycle and thickens, breaks down and bleeds.

We understand that these are chronic conditions that can be very difficult to live with and may have taken years to diagnose.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is registered and accredited with the British Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE).  

Strict criteria are set by the BSGE and it allows us to provide expertise and care for patients with some of the most complex deep infiltrating endometriosis cases.

All our cases of severe endometriosis are entered into the national database (anonymously) which allows us to keep up to date with national and world standards. The aim of the BSGE is to improve treatment for all patients with endometriosis and we are extremely proud to have accreditation.

We are a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) working closely with colorectal, urology, pain management, radiology and physiotherapy. We hold regular MDT meetings to discuss complex cases and see some of these patients in MDT clinics. We also hold paediatric and adolescent pelvic pain clinics. 

Providing high-quality, patient-centred care delivered with compassion and understanding allows us to put the patient at the centre of care. Our team is committed to ensuring you are treated with kindness, respect and dignity.

Meet the team:

Top row (from left to right): Miss Donna Ghosh (Service lead), Mr Angus Thomson (Consultant), Mr Jon Hughes (Consultant), and Miss Natalia Price (Consultant). Bottom row (from left to right): Joanna Street (Endometriosis Specialist Nurse), Mr Richard Wilkin (Consultant Colorectal Surgeon), Dr Rob Johnson (Consultant Radiologist), and Miss Deborah Nicol (Consultant Colorectal Surgeon).

Top row (from left to right):
Miss Donna Ghosh (Service lead), Mr Angus Thomson (Consultant), Mr Jon Hughes (Consultant), and Miss Natalia Price (Consultant).
Bottom row (from left to right):
Joanna Street (Endometriosis Specialist Nurse), Mr Richard Wilkin (Consultant Colorectal Surgeon), Dr Rob Johnson (Consultant Radiologist), and Miss Deborah Nicol (Consultant Colorectal Surgeon).

Miss Donna Ghosh – Service lead

Donna Ghosh is a consultant gynaecologist with a special interest in the management of patients with endometriosis. She is lead for the endometriosis and paediatric adolescent gynaecology service. She has done surgical training in advanced laparoscopy in the UK and Australia and also performs robotic gynaecological surgery. She is Honorary secretary of the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy.

Miss Price – Consultant

The main focus of my work is minimal access laparoscopic (keyhole) surgical techniques to treat a wide range of gynaecological problems, including endometriosis, menstrual disorders, fibroids, ovarian cysts, prolapse and incontinence.

Mr Jon Hughes – Consultant

Mr Jon Hughes is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust with a special interest in advanced laparoscopic surgery, endometriosis, pelvic pain and fertility. He regularly performs minimally invasive surgery for conditions such as endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, tubal disease and heavy periods, aiming to reduce symptoms while supporting long‑term wellbeing. 

He also has a strong interest in the care of people experiencing fertility difficulties and runs specialised fertility clinics within the Trust. Mr Hughes combines fertility care with the treatment of endometriosis and pelvic conditions, working closely with colleagues across the multidisciplinary team to provide personalised, compassionate care tailored to each patient’s needs.

Mr Angus Thomson – Consultant

Consultant Gynaecologist in Worcester since 2005 and has held a number of managerial responsibilities over that time. Helped to set up The Worcestershire Endometriosis Centre and successfully recruited to build the team we have today.

Areas of clinical expertise: Minimal Access Surgery, Endometriosis & Pelvic Pain, Urogynaecology.

Professional profile: Senior Council Member for British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE), Lead for Endometriosis Centres on the BSGE Council; Deputy Chief Medical Officer Herefordshire & Worcestershire Integrated Care Board; National Gynaecology Clinical Lead (for GIRFT programme).

Miss Deborah Nicol – Consultant

Consultant colorectal surgeon since 2013 and colorectal Clinical Lead for Worcestershire.

Specialist interests: laparoscopic, transanal and robotic colorectal surgery, rectal cancer and colorectal endometriosis.

Mr Richard Wilkin – Consultant

Consultant colorectal surgeon and academic with specialist interest in laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery.

Joanna Street – Endometriosis Specialist Nurse

Joanna has worked in the acute, community and general practice settings before starting in post at the end of 2023.

How can I be referred?

Anyone with suspected endometriosis can be referred to the Endometriosis clinic at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Your GP can make a referral to the clinic if they feel this is necessary and they are unable to manage your symptoms, and we also accept referrals from other Gynaecology Consultants.

What will happen at my first appointment?

This will very much depend on your own unique set of symptoms, on your first visit it is likely you will be seen by a specialist nurse who will take a detailed history from you and ask about any medications you may be taking, you will also be asked about previous investigations and treatments and most importantly how the symptoms affect you individually.

You will be asked to complete the BSGE pelvic pain questionnaire to help us understand your problems and find the most appropriate treatments.

An examination is helpful in assessing you fully. The abdomen (tummy) and pelvis (vagina) are examined with your permission, and with a chaperone for your support, there is always privacy to undress and dress.

We fully appreciate that the effects of endometriosis vary hugely between women and the recommendations made from your visit with be unique to you.

We may arrange further investigations to help detect evidence of endometriosis or alternate causes for your symptoms, these may include blood tests, vaginal swabs, ultrasound or MRI scans.

A treatment plan will be made at this visit and you will receive information about this. At this appointment you will have the opportunity to discuss your treatment and any concerns.

If you feel it would be beneficial please bring a family member or friend for support and any questions to the clinic.

We are delighted that as a Trust we have been able to retain our accreditation as an Endometriosis Friendly Employer by Endometriosis UK.

We were the very first acute hospital trust in the country to achieve this accreditation, through demonstrating our commitment to supporting staff with Endometriosis.

We are making a huge effort to increase awareness and support on offer for both colleagues and patients. Our Trust has a nationally accredited endometriosis centre providing gold-standard care for women with the most severe forms of endometriosis.

This scheme allows us to formally raise awareness of how the condition may affect an employee and by working in conjunction with the human resources team, to promote support for women with this condition in our workplace. 

By advocating for all women, and not just our patients, we hope to achieve greater productivity and reduced sickness from our staff. 

More details of the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme can be found here: www.endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-friendly-employer-scheme

Patient support group

Our support group exists in order to provide information and support to anyone who suffers from endometriosis. We aim to run these sessions every 3 months. The meeting is held at Worcester Hospital education centre and are facilitated by the team. This is an informal support group for any patient to attend – the priority for us all is never wanting anyone to go through having endometriosis alone so this gives everyone the chance to talk to someone in a supportive environment and have peer2peer support.

If you wish to attend these groups, please email to be added onto the mailing list. The email address will be on your letter from your appointment with us.

Research trials

We are excited to be taking part in two clinic trials – these are studies that are carried out to establish if a new treatment, intervention, or test is safe and effective. By taking part in clinical trials we hope any results will help women like you with pain and endometriosis and will help health services to provide effective care in the future for women with endometriosis.

The trials we are currently taking part in are listed below along with the patient information leaflets which if the team feel you meet the criteria for will discuss with you at your appointment.

The ADDEND Study

Can you help us?

An EndoSure test device being held up in front of a patient

The ADDEND Study is looking at the accuracy and potential clinical application of a non-invasive device in the diagnosis and management of endometriosis.

You may be interested in finding out more if you are:

  • A patient who is having surgery for suspected endometriosis.
  • A patient who is having surgery for causes other than endometriosis.

We are also looking for healthy volunteers who may be willing to participate.

For more information contact our Research Team on: [email protected]

LISTEN: Endometriosis: your questions answered

Listen to a special episode of BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester where host Tammy is joined by our experts, Endometriosis Specialist Nurse, Joanna Street and Consultant Gynaecologist, Mr Angus Thomson to discuss the impact of endometriosis and answer questions from local women living with the condition.

Listen on BBC Sounds

The faces of six women who told their story on the radio show with the words 'Radio Hereford and Worcester' below.

Patient information leaflets

Patient information video: Being referred for endometriosis

Watch a patient information video on being referred for endometriosis.

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