Our first menopause group consultations launch this October
October 18th is World Menopause day and just a few days later, on 22 October, we will hold our first menopause group consultation in Wakefield. It is a milestone we are very proud to share.
A new way to get support
Conexus Healthcare CIC is one of seven pilot sites in England selected to develop an NHS Women’s Health Centre of Excellence. We are the only pilot site in the North East and Yorkshire. Our first milestone in the development of our centre of excellence is the delivery of group consultation clinics for menopause.
A group consultation brings together a small number of women with similar health needs for one appointment. Each 90 minute session is led by a local GP with specialist training in women’s health
Women who attend get more time than a typical appointment allows. They can hear how others are managing similar symptoms and ask the questions that matter to them. They still have a private conversation with their clinician about their own results and treatment if they want to. Everyone leaves with a clear, personal plan for their next steps.
Who the sessions are for
We are running our first session Church View Health Centre with local patients aged 40 to 55 who may be entering into perimenopause or menopause. Clinic are specifically aimed at women who have not been prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the last two years. Topics include common symptoms, HRT options with their benefits and risks, and everyday changes to diet and activity that can help. There is also time to raise anything else on your mind. Confidentiality is built into every session. Everyone in the room agrees to keep what is shared private.
Working in partnership
Our earlier work through the Wakefield Women’s Health Hub showed what community-based approach to care can achieve. Many women tell us they have struggled with menopause symptoms for years without knowing where to turn. Group consultations give them time, information and reassurance, while creating a supportive environment where women can learn from one another, share their experiences and realise they are not alone.
We are working with EverGreen Active and Live Well Wakefield with whom we share strong community links. They are able to connect women to groups and activities that can support them on their menopause journey and provide advice on non-medicalised support available.
Linking with World Menopause Day
This year’s World Menopause Day, led by the International Menopause Society, focuses on chronic pain at midlife. Aching joints, headaches and pelvic discomfort are often put down to getting older, when they can be linked to the menopause transition. The campaign’s message is that this pain is real and women should not feel they simply have to live with it. Our group consultations give women in Wakefield space to talk about symptoms like these and get the right support.
Supporting our own people
Find out more
Our Women’s Health website page has helpful resources. You will also find factsheets and guidance with more being added as our Women’s Centre for Excellence develops. The International Menopause Society has published World Menopause Day resources for anyone to use.
We will provide more information on our menopause group clinics as they roll out to other locations. And watch this space as we develop group consultations for other health conditions, creating opportunities for patients to access specialist support, build confidence in managing their health and connect with others who understand what they are experiencing.