To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) any initiatives in place to support women going through perimenopause and menopause; and (ii) whether he is considering the development of a menopause strategy that includes public education, healthcare training and workplace support.

While not all women will need medical intervention for perimenopause and menopause, and most that do should be able to receive appropriate support and treatment from their GP, it is important that appropriate advice, information and specialist care are available where needed.

The Health and Social Care (HSC) Clinical Education Centre (CEC), in partnership with my Department, has this year commenced the successful delivery of a series of multi-professional educational webinars on menopause to raise awareness, share information and promote learning for health care professionals supporting women experiencing the menopause. The webinars have focused on specific aspects of menopause including the management of menopause in relation to primary care, cardiology, pelvic health, cancer and sexual health, and have been attended by a wide range of healthcare professions and organisations.

The Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) report on Gynaecology across NI, published in January this year, includes recommendations to improve and standardise advice and access to services in relation to menopause and other gynae-related issues. There are some good examples of menopause services and support within the Health and Social Care (HSC) system, however it is recognised that access and availability currently vary across the region. My Department’s Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) has established a Regional HSC Gynaecology Services Forum, with Trust and Public Health Agency representation, to oversee implementation of the report. This will include a Regional Engagement Forum to garner expert user feedback from stakeholders, including those suffering from menopause symptoms, and a Menopause Task and Finish Group to establish service needs and develop clinical pathways. It is recognised that some of the recommendations will require additional investment which is not currently available, and this will inevitably impact delivery.

The relevant NICE Clinical Guideline (NG23) on Menopause diagnosis and management, which my Department endorsed in 2016, aimed to improve the consistency of support and information provided to women. The Guideline is in the process of being updated, to include focus on managing urogenital atrophy, the long-term benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy for managing menopausal symptoms, and will be considered as part of the above work when published, however full implementation will also be subject to resources.

Voluntary and community sector organisations can also play an important role in supporting women through perimenopause and menopause. For example, a new Northern Ireland charity, Menopause Together, was established in 2023 to help address the need for more education, support and awareness and to help empower women to make informed choices and feel supported on their menopause journey.

Due to the severe financial constraints facing my Department and the absence of a multi-year budget, I am not considering any new long-term strategies which cannot be funded at this time. However, in relation to wider societal awareness and understanding about the impact of menopause on women’s health and wellbeing, it seems clear that much support can be provided to women in addition to health services, for example through education and employment policies. Many organisations including the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Health and Social Care and the Education Authority have workplace menopause policies in place to support staff in this regard.

While there is currently no UK-wide government strategy in relation to menopause, the UK Menopause Taskforce was established in 2022 to strengthen coordination and raise awareness of the menopause and its impact across the UK, under the shared aim of improving care and support across all sectors. My predecessor, Departmental officials and NI clinicians have attended the Taskforce. It has encouraged the sharing of best practice across the UK to ensure that women are supported in every area as they navigate this stage of life.

With regard to public education, it is anticipated that the women’s health action plan which my Department is currently developing will include some commitments in relation to improving access to information on women’s health across the life-course, including on menopause and menstrual health. The extent to which a communications programme such as this can be delivered on a consistent and comprehensive basis will of course be proportionate to the availability of funding, however I agree that this is an area that can be improved upon.