Northern Ireland

Naomi Long to take break after surgery for "very aggressive" endometriosis

Alliance leader Naomi Long is to have surgery for "very aggressive" endometriosis. File picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association
Alliance leader Naomi Long is to have surgery for "very aggressive" endometriosis. File picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association Alliance leader Naomi Long is to have surgery for "very aggressive" endometriosis. File picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association

ALLIANCE leader Naomi Long will be forced to take a break of up to 10 weeks following surgery for a debilitating health condition.

The East Belfast MLA revealed on Sunday night she has suffered from "very aggressive endometriosis" for most of her adult life.

The long-term and often painful condition happens when tissue that behaves like the lining of the womb is found in other parts of the body.

Mrs Long said she has increasingly suffered from "chronic pain", resulting in several emergency hospital admissions.

She said she needs surgery to deal with the condition.

"I was originally due to be admitted in January; however, due to the collapse of the Assembly and elections, I postponed until April," she wrote on her Facebook page.

"Then the General Election was called, and I had to postpone again for that campaign and the talks process.

"However, I now need to put my health first and am hopefully having my operation on Tuesday.

"It's routine but quite big surgery, with a slow recovery time, so I will be off work for about 8-10 weeks recuperating."

She said she aims to take a break from social media during her recovery.

"Thanks for your understanding and no doubt my self imposed social media ban will be broken soon enough," she wrote.

Secretary of State James Brokenshire tweeted: "Wish you all the very best Naomi. Hope everything goes well and look forward to seeing you back soon".