A new menopause clinic has opened for staff at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust which sees the trust become of very few in the country to deploy such a service.
With approximately 44% of its staff members being women aged between 45 and 64, the trust has decided to further support the part of its workforce which is highly likely to experience the menopause.
Menopause symptoms affect more than three in four women and, while typical symptoms include hot flushes and night sweats, many do not associate other things such as tiredness, low mood, anxiety, poor memory, and ‘brain fog’ with menopause.
For around a quarter, symptoms can have a huge impact on day-to-day life, with studies showing that hundreds of thousands have left the workplace due to menopause.
Along with becoming one of the first trusts in the country to launch a clinic of this kind, Stockport has also taken other steps to support its staff with menopause, including an option for lighter uniforms, support groups, and a new menopause café where people can share their experiences.
A staff Facebook group has also been recently introduced and has amassed more than 200 members, as the trust bids to achieve a ‘menopause friendly’ accreditation for its work.
The clinic’s consultant, Dr Lisa Barnes, said: “We’re proud to be offering this care for our colleagues with menopause, both for their own wellbeing and so that they can be at their best when they are caring for others.
“We’re proud too that this is one of the first dedicated clinics of its kind, and we hope that others will follow.”
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