Her Voice Project co-founder leaves HSE taskforce over concerns of delivering changes for endometriosis patients

The co-founder of Her Voice Project, Lisa Walsh, said many of the concerns raised directly by endometriosis sufferers engaging with Her Voice Project were considered 'outside the scope of the taskforce'. Picture: Brian Arthur

The co-founder of support group Her Voice Project has left the HSE’s endometriosis advisory taskforce due to concerns it cannot deliver on “the level of urgency” patients require.

On top of her work with Her Voice Project, Lisa Walsh was part of the endometriosis advisory group set up by health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

Ms Walsh told the Irish Examiner she no longer believes the current remit of the group is aligned with the level of tangible change patients urgently require.

“While I fully recognise the value of awareness and educational initiatives, the primary focus of discussions has centred around the March listening forum, the endometriosis surgery abroad interim scheme website, the HSE website, and the menstrual health campaign,” she said.

“In my view, these measures do not sufficiently address the immediate challenges facing patients who are already fully aware of their condition and are struggling to access timely treatment, surgery, and post-operative care.”

Ms Walsh said many of the concerns raised directly by endometriosis sufferers engaging with Her Voice Project, an online support group for those suffering with the condition, were considered “outside the scope of the taskforce”.

“I believe it is important to be honest about the fact that I no longer feel this structure is positioned to deliver the level of urgency, practical support, and systemic change that patients have consistently called for,” she added.

At 28, Ms Walsh was diagnosed with stage four endometriosis after being dismissed for years in Ireland.

She sought treatment in Britain, where she was told the extent of her condition was so extensive that it had spread to both sides of her diaphragm and reached her heart.

She co-founded the online page, now titled Her Voice Project, to share her story and encourage other women to share theirs.

Endometriosis is estimated to affect between one in seven girls and one in 10 women in Ireland.

'Improving women's healthcare services'

Ms Carroll MacNeill has said the Government is working to “ensure timely effective treatment” to patients impacted by the condition.

She addressed the Ladies Lounge event at Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, highlighting the Government’s “continued commitment to strengthening and improving women’s healthcare services”.

“The publication of the National Endometriosis Framework last year was a first step towards clear pathways of care. Since September 2025, we have moved from a fragmented system to a structured, nationally coordinated model of care for endometriosis,” she said.

“While challenges remain as we continue to grow capacity, we have delivered significant, system-level progress across all priority areas identified. We will continue our work to raise awareness, reduce time to diagnosis, and ensure timely, effective treatment for the many women impacted by this debilitating disease.”

This comes as the Government-funded scheme has “engaged with” more than 120 women asking about care in Ireland and abroad. However, more than 30 have been approved for travel.

Additionally, 39 women have finished applications to travel through the scheme which is in co-operation with the EU cross-border health directive office.