A pilot health check clinic for women with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) has been launched in Jersey. The head of a health group described the initiative as "a good start", but suggested "more... can be done" for the condition.
PMOS, which affects up to one in eight women, is a metabolic condition that alters how the ovaries function and has been linked to infertility and weight gain, according to the UK's NHS. The condition was renamed in May from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to be "more representative" of its nature as a whole-body condition.
The government's trial clinic, which will not diagnose the condition, aims to assist women with PMOS in accessing further help for the condition and related issues, including type 2 diabetes. Women will need a GP referral to access the service, which is set to operate from the Assisted Reproductive Unit in St Brelade starting in October.
Jessica Pinel, Chair of PMOS Jersey, stated that the trial clinic aligns with draft guidance from the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which recommends annual checks to identify the wide-ranging health issues associated with the condition. Assistant Minister for Health and Social Services Andy Howell expressed hope that the clinic would demonstrate that women with PMOS are being taken seriously.
The clinic will offer investigations such as ultrasound scans and endometrial biopsies during the same visit, which are not typically available at a standard GP appointment. Funds for the clinic will be managed within the existing budget, according to Howell.