Intelligent Ultrasound commits to becoming Endometriosis Friendly Employer
Intelligent Ultrasound (IU) is the latest organisation pledging to support colleagues impacted by endometriosis, by joining the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme.
Through the scheme, which is run by charity Endometriosis UK, the Cardiff-based ultrasound simulation firm will improve its support for those in the workplace affected by this common disease, as well as breaking down taboos and stigmas around menstrual health.
Endometriosis impacts the physical and mental health of 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth from puberty to menopause, although the impact may be felt for life.
Symptoms include chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, painful bowel movements and pain when urinating. Despite being so common, it takes an average of eight years and 10 months to get diagnosed in the UK, for reasons including lack of understanding of the disease – and in Wales, where IU is headquartered, that average figure is at its highest, at nine years and 11 months.
As part of the scheme, IU will appoint Endometriosis Champions, who will receive training from Endometriosis UK, to enable them to provide support and information to colleagues.
Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK said: “I’m delighted to welcome IU to the diverse range of organisations tackling taboos around menstrual health and endometriosis through the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme.
“By showing its team that they are valued and can expect support and reasonable adjustments to help those with endometriosis and menstrual conditions succeed at work, they will be increasing engagement across the whole of their workforce, ultimately making the organisation more successful.”
Kathryn Jenner, Chief Product Officer at IU commented: “We’re delighted to join the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme to ensure we can support those in the workplace with endometriosis, as well as break down taboos about menstrual health.
“We look forward to working with Endometriosis UK, and hope that other employers will commit to joining the scheme as well.”
IU’s commitment to endometriosis isn’t limited to joining the employer scheme. Indeed, in line with its vision to make ultrasound accessible to everyone, the company is calling for more sonographers to be trained to identify complex cases of endometriosis, so that patients can be diagnosed and referred for treatment sooner — Train, identify and diagnose.
The company’s ScanTrainer Endometriosis Plus module trains sonographers to identify the various and more complex forms of the disease, with 24 cases of endometriosis in a range of locations, including in the bowel, bladder and ligaments.
Kathryn continued: “Ultrasound is a cost-effective tool for the diagnosis of endometriosis. The use of our technology will help to expand the number of sonographers trained to scan for this incredibly painful condition and ensure timely intervention that will improve patient outcomes while reducing treatment costs.”
Find more information on the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme at: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-friendly-employer-scheme
Learn more about IU’s Endometriosis Plus module here: https://www.intelligentultrasound.com/endometriosis-trainer/