Jersey’s government has established a trial health screening clinic specifically for women with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), a metabolic condition that affects ovarian function and is associated with infertility and weight gain. The condition, which impacts up to one in eight women, was officially renamed from PCOS in May to better reflect its status as a systemic disorder affecting multiple body systems.
The screening service, set to operate from October at the Assisted Reproductive Unit in St Brelade, is designed to provide comprehensive monitoring rather than diagnostic services. Women must first visit their general practitioner for a referral to access the clinic. The government stated that the service will help patients manage PMOS and associated conditions, including type 2 diabetes, while avoiding impacts on existing gynaecology waiting lists by utilizing additional clinical capacity. Screening visits will include investigations such as ultrasound scans and endometrial biopsies that cannot be performed during standard GP appointments.
Screening clinic nurse Corrinne Purdy described the reviews as holistic in approach, encompassing medication management, physical measurements, sleep quality assessment, fertility considerations, and mental health evaluation. The clinic aligns with draft guidance from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which recommends annual health checks to identify the wide-ranging health complications associated with the condition.
Jessica Pinel, chair of PMOS Jersey, welcomed the initiative as a positive development while noting financial barriers that may prevent some women from seeking care. She emphasized that the integration into the government health system enables referrals to specialized services including endocrinology and dermatology, potentially reducing costs and improving outcomes. Health Minister Andy Howell stated the clinic would be funded within existing budget allocations without requiring additional expenditure.
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