Menopause care for women across the UK is set to receive more support as government ministers and senior clinicians come together to form the UK Menopause Taskforce.
The new taskforce, who are meeting for the first time today, will look to tackle issues surrounding menopause such as treatment, the stigmas associated with it as well as looking to end the taboo aura particularly within the workplace.
For the first time, a consultation into the reclassification of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also known as Gina 10, which could be made available to women over the counter at their local pharmacy rather than requiring a prescription.
Maria Caulfield, Minister for Women’s Health and co-chair of the UK Menopause Taskforce said: “For too long women have gone unsupported and unheard when it comes to specific women’s health issues. This is especially true when it comes to the understanding of and treatment for the menopause.
“This must change. The UK Menopause Taskforce is another stride forward in delivering real change for women across the UK, breaking down taboos and ensuring better access to treatment and support.
“I look forward to working closely with my colleagues across all four nations as we drive forward the women’s health agenda to tackle the gender health gap ahead of the publication of our Women’s Health Strategy later this year.”
The taskforce has set out a list of objectives which they hope will improve care and raise awareness of the menopause:
To ensure clinical evidence underpins all aspects of menopause work
To look across all the recommendations made to government on the menopause accelerating the delivery of menopause-related programmes of work across the UK
To identify areas of mutual interest and collaboration, share best practice and take forward actions where it is appropriate to take a joint approach across nations
To increase understanding of and encourage open conversations about the menopause among the general public, within healthcare settings, and in workplaces
To work closely with external stakeholder and raise awareness of the menopause in the workplace by encouraging open conversations
Carolyn Harris MP, Co-chair of the UK Menopause Taskforce said: “Insufficient education and awareness of its impact alongside historic taboos around openly discussing its symptoms has meant that for too long women have suffered and struggled to access the help that they need.”
Collectively, the taskforce will meet every two months to discuss topics such as healthcare provisions, education and awareness, menopause in the workplace and research evidence and data.
