A local maths lecturer is calling on Oldham MPs Debbie Abrahams and Jim McMahon to attend a Westminster Hall debate on Monday 13 April, which will consider changes to statutory sick pay for women with endometriosis. The call comes from campaign group Endometriosis Awareness North, which says the current system leaves many women with the condition struggling financially and professionally.

Laura Culshaw, a lecturer who has lived with endometriosis for 25 years, says she has felt “dismissed, doubted, and left behind” by the lack of support. In a blog post, she described how the condition has affected her education and career, including falling behind in her studies and having to pause a master’s degree. She also said the pain can be so severe that she is at times unable to walk.

Endometriosis Awareness North estimates that sufferers lose around £3,400 every five years due to a lack of statutory sick pay when they need time off for flare-ups. Dr Anita Sharma, founder of the charity, said the condition can have a significant financial and professional impact. “If you are unfortunate enough to have endo, it’s anticipated that you lose £56 per month in income from unpaid sick days and the cost of healthcare,” she said.

Dr Sharma also highlighted the workplace challenges faced by many with the condition. “Then there is the constant thought that time off means falling behind at work and even becoming a liability to your company. We have heard of instances where bosses have not promoted employees with endo, and even let them go.”

The debate, scheduled for 4.30pm, follows a public petition calling for up to three days of statutory sick pay per month for people with endometriosis. Campaigners are also calling for measures such as flexible working and access to rest areas during flare-ups. Dr Sharma argued that these changes could be cost-effective in the long run. “This may seem like an extra cost for the government but actually it is a financial saving for businesses and the economy. If allowed to recover from a flare-up, someone with endo is not going to try and battle through it and have even more time off. If they are less anxious about the money they are losing, that will mean a healthier outcome, too.”

The charity also emphasised the wider challenges faced by those with endometriosis, including long delays in diagnosis—often taking years—along with serious health risks and mental health impacts. In Oldham, residents are being encouraged to contact their MPs to urge them to attend the debate and support proposed changes to the sick pay system.

For many women in the borough, the issue is deeply personal, affecting their ability to work, study, and manage daily life. The upcoming debate offers a chance for local voices to be heard at a national level, with MPs expected to discuss how better support could be provided for those living with endometriosis.