Stephen Morgan MP gives his support to new Government drive making Menopause advice a part of free health checks.
- Menopause questions and help to be included in routine NHS health checks for first time nationally
- Will help millions of women to get the help they need
- Raising awareness of symptoms and giving women the confidence to seek help
- Marks major shift in women’s healthcare as Government overhauls outdated systems
Routine NHS appointments will now tackle one of society’s most overlooked health challenges, ensuring women experiencing perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms get the right information and support. This will also raise awareness earlier so more women recognise the signs and seek help sooner if needed.
The addition of dedicated questions to NHS Health Checks about the menopause – free assessments offered to eligible adults aged 40-74 every five years – will benefit nearly 5 million women.
NHS Health Checks are aimed at identifying people with health risks including cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia.
By making menopause a part of these health checks, this Government is raising awareness of symptoms and giving women the confidence to seek help. Women reporting symptoms will be directed to services, information and treatment options to provide relief.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan MP for Portsmouth South said:
“It is all too common to hear from my female constituents that, when facing the debilitating symptoms of menopause, their concerns are not listened to and that they do are not getting the support that they need.
“Portsmouth women can be reassured that the Government understands the drastic effect this can have on women’s lives that may be invisible to others and wants to meaningfully change these circumstances.
“By tailoring new routine health check questions to menopause, this major update will prevent women from facing the symptoms of either menopause or perimenopause alone.”
Commenting Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:
“Women have been suffering in silence for far too long and haven’t been encouraged to open up about the symptoms they’re experiencing.
“This often means they’re left to navigate menopause alone, with very little support – all because of an outdated health system that fails to acknowledge how serious it can be.
“No one should have to grit their teeth and just get on with what can be debilitating symptoms or be told that it’s simply part of life.
“This government is overhauling women’s healthcare and giving those experiencing menopause and perimenopause the visibility and support they have long been asking for.”
