Society founder, Dr Louise Newson, member of UK Governments’ Menopause Taskforce
Senior clinicians and government ministers from the four United Kingdom nations met together for the first time on 3rd February 2022 as part of a new Menopause Taskforce to improve the nationwide response to the perimenopause and menopause within healthcare and the workplace.
Women’s health has increasingly been on the government’s agenda following the consultation for a Women’s Health Strategy by the Department of Health, and the Menopause All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) chaired by Carolyn Harris MP. One of APPG’s recommendations was to establish a Menopause Taskforce that would have the following aims:
- to ensure clinical evidence underpins all aspects of menopause work
- to accelerate the delivery of menopause-related programmes of work across the UK
- to share best practice and take forward actions with a joint approach across nations
- to increase understanding and conversations about the menopause among the general public
- to raise awareness of the menopause in the workplace
Minister for Women’s Health and co-chair of the UK Menopause Taskforce Maria Caulfield, 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.”
The formation of the taskforce forms part of a wider commitment to eradicate health disparities. Co-chair of the UK Menopause Taskforce, Carolyn Harris MP, said:
“Improving support and services for those experiencing symptoms of the menopause is something that I am passionate about. 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.
“The taskforce will bring together Parliamentarians from across the UK as well as professional bodies, menopause specialists and experts by experience to raise awareness of the issues and co-ordinate our response in order to improve support and services and ensure better menopause experiences for women in the future.”
Founder of the Newson Health Menopause Society, Dr Louise Newson, attended the inaugural meeting of the taskforce on the 3rd February 2022 and said:
“I am privileged to be part of this ground-breaking Menopause Taskforce that is cross-party and covers the four nations of the UK. I hope by so many key people working together it will ultimately make a real improvement to the availability and quality of menopause support and treatment that is offered for free in people’s local communities via the NHS and primary care. The postcode lottery of care that currently exists for perimenopausal and menopausal women needs to urgently change.”
The Taskforce will meet every 2 months for round 18 months and members will then consider if it needs to be extended or transformed into another purpose. The taskforce is co-chaired by Maria Caulfield MP, Minister for Patient Safety and Primary Care and Carolyn Harris MP, Labour MP for Swansea East.