Jersey Launches Pilot PMOS Screening Clinic

A pilot health clinic for women with Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) has launched in Jersey. The government described the trial as a screening service to help those with the condition access further support for PMOS and associated issues like type 2 diabetes.

Jessica Pinel, Chair of PMOS Jersey, called the clinic a good start but said more can be done for the metabolic condition. Pinel, diagnosed in 2023 after spending over £3,100 on treatment, acknowledged cost can be a barrier to support. She said the government-approved service allows for referrals into pathways like endocrinology and dermatology, which could provide better support and reduce costs.

Holistic Health Checks

Clinic nurse Corrinne Purdy said reviews would take a holistic approach. The checks will cover medication management, patient well-being, height and weight reviews, sleep patterns, and condition management. The checks will also discuss fertility aspirations and mental health.

Purdy stated PMOS has been overlooked for a long time. She said women have been diagnosed and then not really had any sort of follow-ups, just left to manage. The condition, which affects up to one in eight women, was renamed from PCOS in May to better represent it as a whole-body condition linked to infertility and weight gain, according to the UK's NHS.

Referral-Based Service

The government clarified the clinic at the Assisted Reproductive Unit in St Brelade, starting in October, is not for diagnosis. Women must first visit their GP for a referral. The service will offer investigations like ultrasound scans and endometrial biopsies in a single visit, which a standard GP appointment cannot provide.

Any woman needing specialist management for symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding or fertility concerns will be referred to the appropriate service. The government said existing waiting lists for gynaecology would not be affected, as additional clinical capacity had been found.

Funding and Future Goals

Assistant Minister for Health Andy Howell said funds for the clinic would be managed within the budget that we have at the moment, so it's not going to cost us any more. The Health Department was allocated £381m to spend in 2026 as part of the government's 2026-2029 budget.

Howell said a lot of women have been suffering and it was hoped the clinic shows that we're taking them seriously. Pinel added the clinic aligns with draft guidance from the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which advises annual checks to spot wide-ranging health issues. The aim is to listen to user feedback to optimize support.

Pinel concluded the move forward means a more joined-up approach for newly diagnosed women, taking the long-term health consequences of PMOS more seriously.