Welcoming last week’s government announcement that menopause questions will be included in NHS health checks for the first time, one Bury GP practice said that ‘while this is a huge leap forward in women’s health, much more still needs to be done.’
Nurse consultant, Karen Swift, plus care co-ordinator, Jayne Chapman, established Ribblesdale Medical Practice’s pioneering menopause service in Bury in 2023. Responding to the government announcement, they said: “It’s about time! The menopause is often dismissed as ‘one of those things’ women must cope with as part of life. It is a serious condition that can be totally life-changing.
“We have supported hundreds of patients who have described the mood changes, sleep deprivation, hot flushes, and brain fog as ‘brutal’, ‘horrendous’ and ‘complete torture.’ Women have told us menopause symptoms have destroyed relationships, caused panic attacks, resulted in anxiety and depression, and ‘ruined’ their physical and mental health.”
Questions about the menopause will be included in NHS health checks which are offered to eligible people between the ages of 40 to 74 every five years and aim to detect people at risk of developing conditions such as heart and kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia and stroke. The move is expected to benefit almost five million women.* But Karen and Jayne said: “I hope this is just a starting point and menopause awareness and dedicated support will be embedded throughout NHS care and available to support all women.”
A nurse for almost two decades, Karen said: “More help is needed for all menopausal women. I’ve been perimenopausal since my 30s. I didn’t initially consider the menopause as a reason for symptoms when I was young. I didn’t realise a ‘hot flush’ could be such a soaking wet sweat, and I thought I was tired due to a busy life. I just tried to cope alone.”
Jayne, the GP practice’s menopause champion, adds that her ‘menopause nightmare’ also began in her 30s with “heart palpitations and a dash to A&E followed by worry, anxiety, and trying endless lifestyle remedies. At that time no-one immediately suggested HRT and specific advice and support wasn’t readily available.”
With practice manager, Lynsey Philbin, Karen and Jayne have established a pioneering menopausal service at Ribblesdale Medical Practice which has helped ‘hundreds and hundreds’ of women.
Jayne said: “Inspired by personal experience and with menopausal co-workers, we realised there was a desperate opportunity to provide help. We wanted to create a one-stop-shop for advice, care and information which enabled patients to have the time to talk but also eased the demand on GP time.”
The service includes a structured patient pathway, symptom questionnaires aligned with NICE guidance, one-to-one personalised support and education from the menopause champion, clinical oversight from a specialist nurse consultant, three-month reviews of HRT patients, plus a new, regular Q&A forum and support group.
Amy Melbourne has been supported by the dedicated service. The patient said: “It is such a relief to be listened to and have your feelings acknowledged. Menopause symptoms made me a different person. I had brain fog, I was increasingly emotional over minor things, my mood was really low, I was anxious about trivia, I had panic attacks, and I couldn’t sleep. I mentioned my worries at a routine smear test and was referred to Jayne Chapman, the menopause champion. After a long chat – and the opportunity to ask a million questions – I completed a questionnaire and have started HRT. I can’t thank Jayne enough for really listening to me, it has been life-changing. Women do need accessible help, advice and support. If only every woman could access a GP practice menopause champion!”
Lynsey Philbin, practice manager, added: “The government’s announcement is a positive step forward as menopausal women have been suffering alone, and in silence, for too long. But it needs to go further to include all women. We have heard women say they have felt lonely, unsupported, unheard and dismissed. Menopause symptoms are different for everyone and can be brutal. No-one should have to cope alone. Ribblesdale’s menopause service demonstrates the positive impact of early, structured intervention and the value of dedicated roles in supporting women’s health.”
The practice continues to refine the service and share learning to help other practices enhance menopause care across Greater Manchester and beyond.
* https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-nhs-update-brings-menopause-into-routine-health-checks