Jersey launches pilot clinic for women with PMOS

A new pilot health clinic for women with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) in Jersey has been welcomed as an important first step, although campaigners say more support is needed for those living with the condition.

PMOS, formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), affects up to one in eight women. The condition can affect how the ovaries function and has been associated with issues including infertility and weight gain.

The name was changed from PCOS to PMOS in May to better reflect the fact that the condition can affect the whole body.

The Jersey Government said the new pilot service will not diagnose PMOS. Instead, it will provide health checks and help women already diagnosed with the condition access appropriate treatment and support for related health problems, including type 2 diabetes.

Women will need to see their GP before being referred to the clinic, which is due to begin operating at the Assisted Reproductive Unit in St Brelade from October.

Jessica Pinel, chair of PMOS Jersey, said the clinic was consistent with draft guidance from the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which recommends annual health checks for women with the condition.

She described the service as "a good start", but said further improvements were needed.

Ms Pinel was diagnosed with PMOS in 2023 after spending more than £3,100 on treatment. She said the cost of accessing healthcare could be a significant barrier for some women.

"We need to realise that cost may be a barrier to people getting support, even if the cost is going to their GP," she said.

However, she welcomed the introduction of the government-funded service, saying it could make it easier for women to access different areas of healthcare.

Because the clinic is part of the government health system, referrals could be made to services such as endocrinology and dermatology, she said. This could provide more joined-up care while potentially reducing costs for women with PMOS.

Ms Pinel said the development represented progress in recognising the long-term health effects of the condition.

"I think it's great to see things moving forward," she said, adding that newly diagnosed women could benefit from a more coordinated approach to their care.

Clinic nurse Corrinne Purdy said the service would take a broad approach to women's health, rather than focusing solely on the symptoms of PMOS.

Appointments could include checks on medication, height and weight, sleep and mental health, as well as discussions about fertility plans and how women were managing their condition.

Ms Purdy said PMOS had been overlooked for many years, with some women receiving a diagnosis but little follow-up care.

"Women have been diagnosed and then not really had any sort of follow-ups," she said, describing how some had been left to manage the condition themselves.

She said PMOS could affect women in a variety of ways and was more common than many people realised.

The pilot clinic is intended to provide more regular monitoring and help women receive support for the wider health issues that can accompany PMOS.