Early Father's Day thanks for Oldham dads who care for their daughters' health
Date published: 06 June 2023
Courtney Ormrod's loving dad, Paul
From offering emotional comfort to their baby girl when they have a headache, to attending gynaecological appointments with their grown-up daughters, dads prove a pillar of strength during illness.
Which is why an Oldham woman who owes a big debt to her dad is using Father’s Day to celebrate that contribution and call on all papas to follow his example – and bridge the gap between male and female healthcare.
Courtney Ormrod is the ambassador for local charity Endometriosis Awareness North and has been accompanied throughout her journey of relentless physical pain, mental health torment and career disappointment by father, Paul – a retired fireman who now uses his time to raise awareness of his daughter’s illness.
And with that shoulder to lean on, she has become an inspirational speaker who regularly lectures senior medics about women’s health and fundraises frantically for the fledgling good cause.
“If it hadn’t been for the encouragement around me, then the future could have looked very bleak indeed,” confessed Courtney, who is also working part-time.
And Paul isn’t the only father to further the cause of endometriosis awareness.
Tony Bowker has supported his daughter Lucy through umpteen hospital procedures, including a haemorrhage and nasty hospital infections.
Remarkably Lucy, a nurse, managed to give birth.
She said: “Endometriosis is a largely female condition, and it is good that the men in my life have shown such understanding.
"Now all blokes need to do that for women experiencing everything from the menopause to miscarriage and mental health crises.”
Whilst life expectancy amongst males had improved prior to COVID, that progress hasn’t been replicated with women.
The pandemic and squeezed NHS resources have resulted in a backlog of cancer scans, whils sexism still plays a part at GP level – so says Endometriosis Awareness North founder, Dr Anita Sharma.
“BAME women in particular tell me that their health worries are not taken seriously enough, and some have become so disillusioned with the wait for treatment they are seeking it abroad,” the Oldham doctor said.
“I do not want to take a broad stroke and say all men are to blame for this, but understanding across all genders and backgrounds is what we need if we truly want health equality.”
Dr Sharma believes all men can help by reading up about female conditions, speaking candidly with their partner or daughter about issues like pelvic pain or menstrual bleeding or advocating powerfully on their behalf, as Paul Ormrod did.
“At my many visits to A&E with agonising pain, male doctors said that I was too young to have endometriosis and to take some paracetamol for my back pain,” added Courtney, “but it was dad who insisted they not dismiss me.”
Salvation came in the shape of Dr Sharma, an author and women’s health expert.
“There are some excellently informed and compassionate male GPs, but successive surveys have shown a lack of knowledge when it comes to endometriosis," said Courtney.
"Whatever the gender of the doctor, or health decision-maker, they need to address some of the inequalities women currently face.
"And that is another thing that our fabulous fathers could help us with – joining their sisters in campaigning for more resources, properly funded research and accessible healthcare for everyone.”
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