Women with endometriosis in the UK often experience prolonged delays before receiving a diagnosis, sometimes waiting years. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has announced new guidance to introduce two non-invasive tests through the NHS, trialed over three years in England and Wales, to accelerate diagnosis. These tests—a saliva examination and an abdominal sensor measurement—aim to help GPs identify the condition and refer patients to specialists more quickly.

Despite welcoming the initiative, patient advocacy groups highlight significant implementation concerns. Many worry that GPs lack sufficient understanding of endometriosis to identify suitable candidates for testing, and that infrastructure gaps—particularly the shortage of endometriosis specialists and uneven service provision across regions—could leave patients waiting lengthy periods even after diagnosis. While some areas have dedicated centres, others lack specialist support entirely, meaning the new tests alone may not fully address the systemic delays patients currently face.