A new dedicated clinic has been launched to support Stockport NHS Foundation Trust staff members experiencing the menopause, in one of the first of its kind for the country.

The trust, which runs Stepping Hill Hospital and local community NHS services in Stockport, now offers the clinic from its staff wellbeing and occupational health service, providing help and advice to anyone with the menopause, alongside other supportive measures including a menopause café too.

At Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, 44% of staff members are women between 45 and 64 years old, which means they are highly likely to experience the menopause.

The menopause is a natural part of ageing for women and usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age.  Menopausal symptoms affect more than three quarters of women, and may last for a long time with an average duration of seven years. 

Typical symptoms include hot flushes and night sweats, but many do not associate other symptoms such as tiredness, low mood, anxiety, poor memory and concentration or sensation of ‘brain fog’ to the menopause. 

For around a quarter of people going through the transition, symptoms can be severe and have a debilitating impact on their day-to-day life.  Studies show that hundreds of thousands of individuals have left the workplace as a result of their menopause symptoms.

It is widely recognised that good menopause care can play a key role in the workforce, as it has an impact on workforce retention levels, patient care, productivity and absenteeism. 

Although awareness of the symptoms is increasingly being promoted on a national level, it is thought Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is one of the first NHS trusts to provide dedicated help and advice on symptoms in this way.

As a supportive employer, the trust has taken other measures to help staff with the menopause too, including the introduction of optional lighter uniforms, and support groups and events too. A new menopause café is also being launched as a safe space for people to share their experiences.  

A specialist Staff Facebook group has also recently been introduced which has proven popular, with over 200 members and rising. The trust aims to receive ‘Menopause Friendly’ accreditation for the steps it has taken.

The new clinic’s consultant is Dr Lisa Barnes. She said “Having a dedicated clinic to offer care and advice to people with menopause symptoms is the ideal form of support they can have, and we’re delighted we’re now able to provide this.

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.”