PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Health Education: Northern Ireland (1 December 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential merits of including (a) endometriosis and (b) menstrual wellbeing in the health and wellbeing school curriculum in Northern Ireland.

Asked by:
Karin Smyth (Labour)

I thank the Honourable Lady for her question on these important issues. Endometriosis affects 10% of women from puberty to menopause - over 1.5m in the UK - and we recognise the importance of the provision of education and information on these matters.

I am in regular contact with ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive on a range of important topics, including healthcare. As you will be aware, the Rebuilding Health & Social Care Strategic Framework was published by Minister Swann on 9 June.

However, education and the content of the school curriculum, including on health and wellbeing, in Northern Ireland are devolved matters for the Education Minister to carefully consider.

Answered by:
Mr Robin Walker (Conservative)
10 December 2020